Mumbai’s ''Dabangg'' woman auto-rickshaw driver''s story will melt your heart
Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, July 10
Humans of Bombay have shared a story about a woman auto-rickshaw driver, who narrates her struggles in life.
The woman’s journey of losing two important people in her life, a broken marriage and the way she rebuilt herself despite all the hardships, has been shared on their Facebook page.
Shireen, who was born into a conservative Muslim family, lost her mother at a young age. Her mother, who had married a second time, was taunted by society because of which she set herself on fire.
It was after losing her sister and then her marriage too that Shireen decided to take her life into her own hands and with her three children to take care of alone, she started to work as an auto-rickshaw driver.
“I was born into a conservative & poor Muslim family. By the time I was 11, my parents started fighting everyday. It took a toll on me. And soon, they got divorced.
So when my mom decided to remarry, it was a scandal. But she went for what she wanted, fearlessly. After a few months, my mom was out with our brother, when a group of men from our community surrounded her, taunted her about her second marriage & humiliated her.
They even taunted my brother & that affected her deeply. That night, she set herself on fire. Losing her was hard. But we had to move on. Within a year, my dad married me & my sister off.
But my sister’s in-law’s bullied her for dowry & when she was pregnant, they poisoned her. I had lost the two people I’d loved the most. But when I got pregnant & my son was born, I had to move on, for him.
After the birth of my third child, my husband refused to take care of us—all he wanted was to sleep with me. And when he was done with that, he said ‘talaq’ thrice & my kids & I had to leave the house.
I was alone on the street, with 3 kids. So I set up a small biryani stall – but the BMC came & tore it down. My husband was a rickshaw driver, so when I had no option, I took my savings & decided to drive a rickshaw.
I earned well, but a lot people harassed me – they’d doubt me because I’m a woman. Rickshaw drivers would bang into me & stop me from taking fares. But I didn't let it bother me.
It’s been a year & my income keeps the house running. I give my kids all that they want, on my own. I want to buy them a car & hope to do that soon. Even my passengers make me feel great, some clap for me, tip me well & even hug me!
I remember once, a passenger addressed me as ‘bhaiya’. When he realised I was a woman, he said I was a ‘dabbang lady’. That’s what I know I am & I want other women to know that they can be one too!
Women are capable of anything – they don’t have to live by the rules of others. I don’t want anyone to suffer like my mom or sister did. So with every passenger I take, every compliment I get & every wish I fulfill for my kids—I know I’m not doing it just for myself but for every woman out there, suffering in silence."
