Some of the most remarkable stories of achievement emerge from lives that begin with very few advantages. Poverty, loss, and limited opportunities can place enormous obstacles in the path of a young person, particularly when education itself has to be pursued alongside the struggle to earn a living. Yet, for some individuals, difficult beginnings become the foundation for a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of others. Jumde Yomgam Gamlin of Arunachal Pradesh is one such example. Her journey from working as a daily-wage labourer for just Rs 2 a day to becoming a government worker, an advocate for women’s empowerment, and a social activist reflects a life shaped by perseverance and service.
Gamlin grew up in a poverty-stricken environment in Arunachal Pradesh. Her childhood was further marked by the loss of her father at a young age, leaving her family to face significant economic difficulties. Despite these circumstances, she remained determined to pursue her education. Balancing the need to study with the need to earn money, she worked as a daily-wage labourer and earned only Rs 2 a day. Her experience of poverty was therefore not something she encountered from a distance; it was a reality that she experienced personally while trying to build a better future for herself.
Continuing her education despite such circumstances required considerable determination. Eventually, Gamlin joined the Arunachal Pradesh government, beginning a long period of public service. Her professional journey gradually became closely connected with the lives of women and disadvantaged communities. Having experienced economic hardship herself, she focused much of her work on creating opportunities that could help people become more financially independent and secure.
One of the important areas of her work has been women’s empowerment. Gamlin promoted self-help groups and encouraged livelihood activities that could be carried out within communities and homes. These included sewing, embroidery, and other home-based enterprises that could provide women with opportunities to earn an income. Such initiatives were significant because they connected economic independence with greater confidence and participation within the community. Rather than treating women facing poverty only as recipients of assistance, these efforts focused on helping them develop skills and create sustainable sources of livelihood.
After years of public service and work with communities, Gamlin founded Mother’s Vision, an organisation focused on drug de-addiction, rehabilitation, and community awareness. Her work through the organisation extended her commitment from economic empowerment to social rehabilitation. Mother’s Vision has worked with people recovering from addiction as well as vulnerable groups, while also contributing to awareness around issues such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
Her work in rehabilitation reflects another important aspect of her journey. Social problems such as addiction, disease, and poverty are often interconnected, particularly for communities with limited access to resources and support. Through awareness programmes and rehabilitation efforts, Gamlin sought to address these challenges at the community level. Her approach demonstrates how social work can involve not only responding to immediate problems but also creating awareness and support systems that can help individuals rebuild their lives.
Gamlin’s journey is particularly notable because her work has remained closely connected to the kinds of difficulties she experienced in her own early life. Having grown up in poverty and worked for a very small daily wage while pursuing education, she understood the importance of economic opportunity and social support. Her later work with women, vulnerable communities, and people recovering from addiction reflects a broader commitment to helping others overcome circumstances that can limit their opportunities.
In 2025, Gamlin received the Padma Shri for social work, marking national recognition of her contributions. The honour represents an important point in a journey that began far removed from public recognition. Her story moves through several distinct stages: from a childhood shaped by poverty and loss, to working as a daily-wage labourer, then entering government service, promoting women’s economic empowerment, and eventually working in rehabilitation and community development.
Jumde Yomgam Gamlin’s life therefore offers a powerful example of how personal hardship can coexist with determination and a commitment to social change. Her journey was not a simple transition from poverty to success; it was a gradual process of education, work, public service, and community involvement. From earning Rs 2 a day while pursuing her studies to receiving the Padma Shri for her social work, she has devoted much of her life to creating opportunities and support for people facing difficult circumstances. Her story demonstrates that achievement can be measured not only by how far an individual rises, but also by how many others they help along the way.