Most 20-year-olds begin their mornings by checking their phones or rushing to college. But for Aswathy, every sunrise begins with a bicycle, a stack of newspapers, and a responsibility far bigger than herself. Before most people in her village wake up, the young woman from Kerala is already on the road, cycling from one house to another, delivering newspapers to nearly 60 homes. It is a routine she has followed every single day for the last four years, not because she has to earn pocket money, but because her family depends on her. The money she earns helps pay for her college education and contributes to her mother’s medical treatment.
A morning that begins before sunrise
13 Jul 2026 | 13:11
What’s one stereotype about women that you’re tired of hearing?
Every day starts long before college. Aswathy collects newspapers early in the morning and rides through her neighbourhood, making sure every newspaper reaches its destination on time. Whether it is pouring rain or the scorching summer heat, she rarely misses a day. Once her delivery round is over, her work is far from finished. She returns home, helps with household chores, gets ready, and then leaves for college. For many people, that schedule would feel impossible. For Aswathy, it has simply become a way of life.
Working to support both her family and her dreams
image credits: Instagram/Just kidding
Behind every newspaper she delivers is a reason that keeps her moving. Her father works as a daily-wage labourer, but his income alone is not enough to meet the family’s expenses. Her mother requires medical treatment, and medicines have become a regular household expense. Instead of allowing financial difficulties to interrupt her education, Aswathy chose to work alongside her studies. The income from her newspaper route helps ease the burden on her father while allowing her to continue her college education. She is not just investing in her own future. She is helping protect her family’s present.
Four years of dedication without giving up
Many part-time jobs come and go. Aswathy’s commitment has stayed the same. For four years, she has balanced work, studies, and family responsibilities without letting one come at the cost of another. Her bicycle has become more than just a mode of transport. It represents determination, responsibility, and hope. Every morning’s ride reminds her that every small effort brings her one step closer to a better future.
A daughter who quietly carries more than her age
Stories like Aswathy’s often go unnoticed because they do not come with loud celebrations or headlines. There are no medals waiting at the finish line of her newspaper route. There are no cameras recording her journey each morning. Yet her strength lies in showing up every single day. She does not complain about waking up before dawn. She does not let difficult circumstances become an excuse to stop studying. Instead, she keeps moving forward, carrying both her dreams and her family’s responsibilities together.
More than newspapers, she delivers hope
Aswathy’s story is about much more than delivering newspapers. It is about a daughter who refused to let financial hardship decide her future. It is about a young woman who believes education is worth fighting for, even if it means starting work before sunrise every single day. In a time when many young people are searching for opportunities, Aswathy reminds us that resilience often begins with simply refusing to give up. Her bicycle carries newspapers to 60 homes every morning. But it also carries something much bigger, a young woman’s determination to heal her mother, complete her education, support her family, and build a future through nothing but hard work.
