Jyoti Kumari Rebuilds Life After Viral Bicycle Journey

Jyoti Kumari, who gained global attention at age 15 for cycling more than 700 miles with her injured father from Gurugram to Bihar during India's COVID lockdown, says the promised financial and career support after the journey largely did not materialize.

According to NPR, Kumari traveled from northern India to her village in Sirhulli with her father Mohan Paswan seated on a bicycle she had bought for $20. The seven-day ride happened after public transportation was shut during the pandemic and the family struggled with money for food and rent.

Paswan had worked as an autorickshaw driver in Gurugram for 20 years before a road accident in January 2020 left him unable to fully recover. NPR previously reported that offers made after Kumari's ride included cash rewards, cycling training and a possible movie deal.

Speaking from her home in Bihar, Kumari described her current situation after the attention faded.

"Now — life is hard," Kumari told NPR in a phone call.

Kumari said promised assistance from politicians and others did not become long-term support. She used available reward money to improve her family's home, adding basic facilities after years of difficult living conditions.

"The politicians who made promises, saying they would give money for my sports or education — nobody actually gave anything," Kumari said.

She explained that the money the family received was used to complete repairs and additions to their house.

"Whatever reward money we collected back then [from individuals who extended help and a government award that came with a cash prize], we put it all into our house, rebuilding it. We had a brick house before, but it only had bare walls. Now we have completed it, added a toilet, a bathroom, and a running water connection. By doing all that, the house has finally become livable," Kumari said.

Mohan Paswan died of a heart attack in May 2021, months after returning to Bihar with his daughter. NPR reported that Kumari's mother now works as a cook to support Kumari and three siblings.

"There are days when we go to sleep hungry," Kumari said.

She also described the reduced support from relatives as family responsibilities grew.

"Our brother-in-law used to help us earlier, but now he also has a child, a wife and his father to take care of. He works a small job in the city — how much can he really do? So now he isn't able to help us much," Kumari said.

Kumari has not yet passed the final exam required to complete Class 12, which NPR reported is important for university applications and some jobs. She continues to balance studying with household duties.

"Once my education is fully complete, only then will I be able to do something else. Only then can I prepare for things and look for a job," Kumari said.

Her daily responsibilities include caring for younger siblings and completing household tasks before studying.

"I give my brothers breakfast for school and get things ready for my sister. Then, I clean the house, mop the floors, do the dishes, wash clothes by hand, take a bath," Kumari said.

Kumari said she wants to build her future from her village rather than follow the path her father took in search of work in a city.

"Whatever I do, I want to do from here," Kumari said.