There is a harsh statistic often quoted in discussions about social mobility: if you are born in a poor family, the probability of moving into the top economic layer of society is extremely low. Some studies suggest that only a very small percentage of people born in the bottom 20% ever reach the top 20%.
It sounds discouraging.
But here is something equally important: statistics describe trends, not destiny. They tell you what usually happens, not what must happen.
Life is shaped by two types of factors: controllables and uncontrollables. You cannot control where you are born. You cannot control your parents’ financial stability. You cannot control crises. But you can control your effort, your learning, your decisions, and your response to adversity.
If you are feeling low, stuck, or lost in life, the stories of Dalpreet and Anita Devi may change the way you look at your own struggles.
When Poverty Is Not Just About Money:
Dalpreet was born in Phusro, a small town that was once part of Bihar and is now in Jharkhand. His childhood was not just financially difficult; it was emotionally unstable. His father struggled with alcohol addiction. The family shifted to Korba in Chhattisgarh, hoping for a fresh start, but financial problems followed them.
They lived in a small kutcha house with two rooms. During heavy rains, water would leak inside. Once, a snake appeared near their house at night. There was no proper lock on the door. His mother tied the door with a piece of cloth and held him tightly all night in fear.
School was not a safe space either. Every month, a list of students who had not paid fees was announced. His name was often on that list. Imagine the humiliation of hearing your name repeatedly because your family cannot afford education.
But the lowest moment came when he saw his mother trying to end her life due to depression. That incident stayed with him forever.
Sometimes pain becomes a turning point. For Dalpreet, that turning point was education. He realized in class 7 or 8 that while he could not control his father’s addiction or the family’s poverty, he could control his studies education became his escape route.
The Power of a Leap of Faith:
Dalpreet tried IIT coaching in Bhilai but failed one subject in class 11. His father had to sell his mother’s mangalsutra to pay back borrowed money. He returned home, believing higher education might not be possible.
But sometimes life opens a small door when you least expect it. A new engineering college opened in Korba. The fee was far lower than at other colleges. He convinced the principal to give him admission at the last moment. The condition was simple: pay ₹20,000 immediately.
His father did not have the money. His mother used the savings kept aside for his sister’s wedding.
That money was not just currency. It was faith.
During college, Dalpreet had only one pair of jeans. When it tore, he could not attend classes for a week. That humiliation forced him to make a decision. He started giving tuition his first tuition fee was ₹500. Gradually, he earned more. By his second year, he was earning more than his father. He repaired the house, bought shoes for himself, and clothes for his sister.
That was his first taste of dignity.
When Hard Work Meets Opportunity:
After engineering, Dalpreet discovered the National Power Training Institute (NPTI), which offered specialized training and strong placements. But the course fee was ₹6 lakhs. He went from bank to bank seeking an education loan.
Most banks rejected him due to a lack of collateral. Finally, the State Bank of India approved his loan after he personally pleaded with the manager. That loan changed his life.
He got placed at Azure Power with a modest salary. Initially, he was frustrated because he was doing basic work like photocopying. But instead of complaining, he analyzed reports, created presentations, and sent suggestions to management.
He quit when he felt stagnant. Surprisingly, the CEO called him back and offered him the chance to write his own salary package.
Within a year, his increment was more than 300%.
Today, he works at TotalEnergies. His monthly tax payment exceeds his father’s annual income from the past.
But his real achievement is not money. It is a transformation. His father left alcohol and now runs a chemist’s shop. His sister completed engineering and secured a job. His family went on vacations that they once could not imagine.
Success compounded. Confidence compounded. Life changed.
A Woman Who Refused to Stay Invisible:
Now let’s talk about Anita Devi.
Born in Nirpur near Nalanda in Bihar, she grew up protected but restricted. As a girl child, she was not allowed freedom or ambition. After marriage into a farming family, her life became extremely difficult.
Fifteen family members lived together. Only three earned. Monthly savings were around ₹15,000. She stitched clothes at night under a lantern so her children could have some money of their own.
Family members taunted her. She developed depression and could not sleep for 15 days. She felt trapped, but one day, women from Bihar’s Jeevika self-help group encouraged her to attend an agricultural workshop in Ranchi. There she learned about mushroom cultivation.
That workshop became her leap of faith.
From Depression to “Mushroom Lady of Bihar”:
She began mushroom farming despite lacking space and facing resistance. Many of her first batches rotted due to inexperience. Losses were heavy. But she kept learning.
Gradually, she mastered temperature control, packaging, and yield management. She began earning more than the other members in her family combined.
In 2014, she won the Jagjeevan Ram Abhinav Kisan Award and received ₹1 lakh as prize money. She reinvested it into expanding her mushroom farming.
In 2016, she co-founded Madhopur Farmers Producers Company Limited. What began with a ₹150 packet of mushroom seeds became one of Bihar’s most successful rural enterprises.
Today, her company produces 20,000 packets every season. She manages a team and trains 3,000–4,000 women farmers. Her village, Anantpur, is now called the first mushroom village of Bihar.
Anita Devi is widely known as the “Mushroom Lady of Bihar.”
From a depressed homemaker to a rural entrepreneur empowering thousands of women, that is transformation.
According to Human Psychology, What Factor Becomes the Real Reason for Success?
When we analyze stories like Dalpreet and Anita Devi through the lens of human psychology, one key factor stands out: perceived control.
Psychologists call this concept locus of control. People with an internal locus of control believe that their actions influence outcomes. Those with an external locus of control believe that fate, luck, or other people determine their future.
Both Dalpreet and Anita could have adopted an external mindset. They had every reason to blame circumstances. Poverty, social restrictions, addiction, and lack of support are all valid excuses but instead, they shifted toward internal control. They focused on what they could do next.
Another powerful psychological factor is what psychologist Carol Dweck describes as a growth mindset. Individuals with a growth mindset believe abilities can be developed through effort and learning. Failures are not identity statements; they are feedback.
Dalpreet failing a subject did not make him “incapable.” Anita losing early mushroom batches did not make her “unsuitable.” They interpreted setbacks as temporary, not permanent.
There is also the principle of delayed gratification. The ability to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term benefit is strongly linked to life outcomes. Studying under pressure, reinvesting profits, and applying repeatedly for loans reflect emotional regulation and future-oriented thinking.
And here we must also understand Parkinson’s Law, a concept introduced by Cyril Northcote Parkinson. Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. But psychologically, it also reveals something deeper: humans tend to adjust effort based on perceived limits.
When people feel they have unlimited time or unlimited excuses, progress slows. When they feel pressure, urgency, or limited resources, focus sharpens.
Dalpreet did not have the luxury of endless time. Anita did not have unlimited resources. Scarcity, instead of breaking them, forced clarity. They worked with intensity because delay was not an option.
In simple terms, success is rarely about intelligence alone. It is about mindset, perceived control, emotional resilience, and disciplined action under constraints.
Psychology shows us that the biggest shift is internal before it becomes external.
Final Thought:
These stories are not fairy tales. They are not overnight success stories. They are about slow, painful, disciplined progress. Both Dalpreet and Anita faced uncontrollables. Poverty. Addiction. Social restrictions. Depression. Lack of resources.
But they focused on controllables. Education. Skill-building. Persistence. Learning from mistakes. Seeking help. Taking calculated risks.
They both took a leap of faith at critical moments.
Feeling low or lost does not mean you are finished. It means you are in the middle of your story, not at the end. Success and confidence compound over time. One small win leads to another. The first tuition of 5000 led to a corporate career. The first mushroom bag led to a rural enterprise.
You may not control your starting point. But you control your direction. If today you feel stuck, remember this: statistics do not define you. Circumstances do not define you. Your response defines you.
Sometimes, all it takes is one decision to study harder, to learn a skill, to attend a workshop, to apply for a loan, to start small, and that decision can shift your entire life trajectory. If they could do it from where they started, maybe you can too, and maybe this moment, the one where you feel low or lost, is not your breakdown.
Maybe it is your turning point.
FAQs:
1. Is it really possible to escape poverty if statistics say the chances are low?
Yes, it is possible. Statistics describe general trends, not individual destiny. While moving from the bottom economic layer to the top is statistically difficult, personal growth, skill development, education, and consistent effort can significantly improve outcomes. Stories like Dalpreet and Anita Devi show that circumstances may limit options, but they do not eliminate possibilities. The key lies in focusing on controllable factors rather than being defined by probability.
2. What does “locus of control” mean, and why is it important for success?
Locus of control is a psychological concept that explains whether a person believes their life is controlled by internal actions or external forces. People with an internal locus of control believe their decisions and efforts shape outcomes. This mindset increases resilience, motivation, and accountability. Both Dalpreet and Anita adopted this internal belief, which helped them act despite adversity.
3. How does a growth mindset help during failure?
A growth mindset, a concept introduced by psychologist Carol Dweck, suggests that abilities can improve through effort and learning. Instead of seeing failure as proof of incompetence, it is viewed as feedback. This mindset allows individuals to recover from setbacks and continue progressing.
4. Why is delayed gratification linked to long-term success?
Delayed gratification means sacrificing short-term comfort for long-term gain. Research shows that people who can control impulses and focus on future rewards are more likely to achieve stable success. Both individuals reinvested time, money, and effort rather than seeking quick comfort.
5. What should I do if I currently feel lost or stuck?
Start small. Identify one controllable action: learning a skill, improving health, seeking mentorship, or applying for opportunities. Momentum builds gradually. Feeling lost may not be the end; it could be the beginning of your turning point.