Every year, around 9 to 10 lakh people work as sugarcane cutters in Maharashtra. Almost half of them are women. These women are the quiet force behind the sugar industry, but their efforts are rarely noticed or appreciated. They travel from 13 different districts to work in fields in western Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka. When they are hired, it is as part of a couple, not as individuals. Yet the payment goes only to the man—even though both work just as hard. These women do more than just fieldwork. They also take care of household chores, cook, clean, and care for children—all while dealing with physical and emotional hardships and violence. Still, their work is not counted or officially recognised. Over the years, as I spent time in their villages, listened to their stories, and observed their daily lives, I began to understand their reality from the ground level. This way of learning comes from witnessing what they go through every day—their routines, struggles, and inner strength. Some women are forced to undergo hysterectomy surgery to stop their menstrual cycles so they can work without breaks. Others are scolded or isolated for natural processes. Many return to work just days after giving birth. These cruel demands show how little freedom they have over their own lives. And yet, these women continue. Their strength is built through years of hard work, silent suffering, and constant movement from place to place. Their knowledge is deeply practical—shaped by lived experience, not classroom learning. If we want to truly understand the rural economy and the sugar industry in Maharashtra, we must first recognise these women. Their lives offer important lessons about fairness, dignity, and what it really means to work hard in the face of injustice