Nikku is an informal waste worker, originally hailing from Bihar. Around 30 years ago, his parents migrated to Amritsar in search of livelihood and began waste picking to sustain their family. During his childhood, tragedy struck when Nikku’s mother passed away after a prolonged illness. Even his father who struggled with alcoholism eventually returned to Bihar, leaving Nikku to fend for himself.
Lacking formal education, Nikku began his professional life by picking waste at the Bhaktawala dump, located outside the city. He scavenged for salable waste which he sold to earn a meager income. However, this practice was quite unsustainable as it entirely depended on what he could salvage- something which varied from day to day. Adding to his misery, he also drew the ire of municipal corporation officials who prevented him from rummaging through dumps. On average, Nikku earned INR. 250–300 per day, which was barely enough to meet even his basic needs.
Nikku’s life took a turn when he came across FINILOOP. The FINILOOP team, already familiar with Nikku through health camps and document-making workshops conducted in his colony, offered him an opportunity to collect waste from a local residential area. However, Nikku lacked a vehicle for waste collection and transportation.
To address this challenge, a plan was put in place to allow Nikku sufficient savings to purchase his own vehicle. First, FINILOOP provided Nikku with a temporary e-loading rickshaw, enabling him to start his work. With their support, Nikku began collecting waste from a colony comprising 123 households. By delivering consistent and quality service, he earned the trust of the residents. Charging INR. 100 per household, he made INR.12300 per month.
Additionally, Nikku added INR. 8000-9000 to his monthly income by selling recyclable waste collected during his daily operations. FINILOOP then connected him with Khalsa College, a bulk waste generator, which further added INR. 5000-6000 to his monthly income. Altogether, Nikku earned INR. 26000-27000 per month, bringing much-needed financial stability to his life.
With his improved earnings, Nikku finally purchased his own rickshaw through a loan, eliminating his dependence on the FINILOOP-provided vehicle. Today, Nikku is thriving, successfully managing his responsibilities and providing a better quality of life for his family.
Nikku’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved when steadfast resilience and determination is met by timely intervention and resourcefulness, as demonstrated by FINILOOP. His story exemplifies how collaborative efforts, and empowerment can transform the lives of informal workers, enabling them to lead dignified and stable lives.
