Every year, thousands of girls from small towns in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh travel to Delhi or Noida to realize their dreams. They arrive with hopes of becoming office workers, designers, or models, and their place of residence often becomes a Paying Guest (PG) accommodation in Delhi or Noida. Recent incidents, such as the one in Satyaniketan, have exposed the deplorable condition of many buildings that provide such housing.
The residents of these rooms often do not understand the difficulties faced by people living in the urban hustle, nor why they leave comfortable conditions at home for life here. To understand this gap in understanding, the authors studied the experiences of four girls living in different PGs in Delhi-NCR and found that their stories reflect the struggle of each girl trying to survive in the megacities.
On the surface, it may seem that these girls are simply studying or gaining freedom in the big city. However, the truth is that the city demands more from them than just labor; it transforms their mindset, changes their lifestyle, from clothing to views, and this transformation comes at a high price, where loneliness, accidents, and feelings of insecurity are the biggest losses.
Shreya from Bihar, the only daughter of her parents, came to Delhi at the age of just 17, aspiring to become a support for her family. She did not expect how terrible the first shock of the big city would be. She lived in an apartment in Noida with a roommate, with whom she had to constantly interact. One day, her roommate committed suicide. The horror of what she saw—her friend's body and the tense silence—was so deeply ingrained in the 17-year-old girl's mind that for weeks she saw her dead friend in every corner.
After she managed to cope with this psychological shock and moved to another PG, her belongings were stolen. The landlord refused to help her. Then, returning from college late at night, she was subjected to harsh remarks and mockery about her Bihari accent by hooligans. This terrible period became a turning point in Shreya's life. The girl, who had never known loneliness, learned to become mentally strong by fighting these events. She realized that in a big city, to survive, tears must be turned into a shield, not weakness.
Divya from Indore is a fearless girl. In her hometown, she freely worked as a model even at night. However, after coming to Delhi-NCR to combine studies and career, she had to give up her passion for modeling. Divya notes that the atmosphere in Noida feels more anxious to her than the safety she felt in Indore. The mentality of people who judge her by her clothes and work, and the constant stares have taught her to be vigilant at all times.
Divya's story demonstrates how a small town gives a girl wings to fly, but a big metropolis grounds her in reality, teaching her to adapt to circumstances. Divya has now transformed her appearance and mannerisms into a protective layer that is difficult to penetrate.
Stakshi from Indore is the only daughter of her family. Her parents wanted her to become a doctor or engineer, but she insisted on becoming a fashion designer. When she first went out alone, convincing her family, the big city completely changed her personality. Stakshi, who was previously very modest and quiet, learned to present herself after arriving in Noida, mastered makeup and style sense, and increased her self-confidence. However, the dark side of this 'glamorous freedom' appeared when she fell seriously ill in the PG.
When she woke up with a high fever and could not find the strength to take medicine because no one was there to ask, Stakshi realized that what her parents called 'restrictions' at home was actually their protection. This loneliness made her mature and taught her that when no one supports you, you must stand on your own feet.
For Ananya, who grew up in a large multi-generational family in Jamshedpur, the first day in Noida was a culture shock. Fast cars, tall buildings, and the absence of close people. She recounts how, while living in Jamshedpur, she unconsciously started judging girls who smoked or drank alcohol. However, the culture of PGs and colleges in Delhi-NCR opened new horizons of thought for her. Today, she has completely stopped judging others. She has learned that everyone has their own choice and lifestyle, although she has set boundaries, staying away from such things in accordance with her health and family values.
Ananya's story proves that big cities do not just leave you alone; they expand your thinking. She remains connected to Jamshedpur.