This Mumbai Woman Auto Driver's Tragic Story Will Move You to Tears and Inspire You at the Same Time!
Shireen has been through a lot during her growing up years, the same struggles continued or probably doubled after she got married. After the passing away of her mother and sister, her husband left her with three children to survive on their owner. Shireen did not lose hope and picked up the pieces and today drives an auto for a living.
In the age of social media, we come across hundreds of stories on a daily basis. From tweets, videos, GIFs, memes, things blow up in no time on social media spreading like wildfire. And then there are some stories that have a lasting impact on us, making us realise our privileges. While some stories rip us apart, others make thus rethink about our lives. And recently, the popular Facebook page, Humans of Bombay known for telling compelling stories about real people, has posted a story about a woman striving to live a life of dignity, while the society tried to pull her down. Shireen says, "I was born into a conservative and 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." Kerala Man’s Emotional Post on His Mother’s Second Marriage Is Going Viral, Netizens Are in Happy Tears.
Shireen, who drives an auto for a living in Mumbai has been through a lot of hardships, but she is defying all odds to live a dignified life. Shireen has had a terrible past. Growing up, she saw her parents fighting every day. Her mother eventually committed suicide by setting herself ablaze. Her sister was poisoned to death during pregnancy. She received the final blow when her husband left her after the birth of her third child. One fine day, she had to pack her bags, take her three children and leave the house. Mom’s Heart-Warming Facebook Post About a Man Who Offered His First-Class Seat For Her and Her Baby Goes Viral.
With "three mouths to feed", she decided to support her family by setting up a small biriyani stall, but the municipal corporation tore it down. Shireen then decided to drive an auto for money. However, other auto drivers who are majorly men, started harassing her. Her post on FB reads: "I earned well, but a lot of people harassed me – they’d abuse me, put me down, and doubt me simply because I’m a woman. Other rickshaw drivers used to even purposely bang into me and stop me from taking fares. But I didn't let it bother me ever."
Read Shireen's entire story here:
It has been a year since Shireen has been riding an auto on the streets for a living. While she has had terrible experiences in the profession, she has also met kind-hearted people. She says, "It's been a year since, and my income keeps the house running. I give my kids all that they ask for, on my own. I want to buy them a car and hope to do that soon. Even my passengers make me feel great, some clap for me, tip me well and even hug me!"
Shireen believes that women can do what they want to and need not take other's approval. She says, "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 mother or my sister did. So with every passenger I take, every compliment I get and every wish I fulfill for my children -- I know I’m not doing it just for myself, but for every woman out there, suffering in silence." We salute the strong woman and hope, wish and pray she reaches the heights she desires to.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2019 12:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).