Miles of Gratitude
Every day before dawn, many of the streets around us are already being swept, scrubbed, and cleaned by sanitation workers under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), locally known as pourakarmikas. Nearly 90 % of pourakarmikas in Bangalore are women and many come from historically marginalised communities. These workers begin before sunrise, often in harsh heat with limited access to clean water or shade. Despite doing essential work, their contribution is rarely recognised publicly, especially on days like Women’s Day when celebrations often focus on corporate-sector programs. Miles of Gratitude is a sincere acknowledgement of the labour that makes clean streets and healthy neighbourhoods possible.
Before most of us wake, they are already at work.
On Women's Day, we choose to begin where they begin.
What Is Miles of Gratitude?
Miles of Gratitude is a community-led sunrise run held on International Women's Day / any day in March.
We run through neighbourhood streets and pause at sanitation worker assembly points to offer chocolates and sweets as a small gesture of appreciation.
Why This Matters
Women's Day is often celebrated in offices, conferences, and campaigns.
But long before those events begin, thousands of women are already working: sweeping streets, clearing waste, and preparing neighbourhoods for the day ahead.
In cities like Bangalore, majority of sanitation workers under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are women. Their labour is essential and often unseen.
What We Do
At around 6:00 AM, small groups gather for a 3–7 km run.
Along the route, we pause briefly at identified sanitation worker gathering points.
We:
- Offer chocolates and sweets
- Wish them a meaningful Women's Day
- Keep interactions respectful and brief
- Ask for consent before photos
- Ensure we do not interrupt work
