Every morning on Kalyan’s busy streets, one small scene catches people’s attention. A mother drives her auto-rickshaw, with her 3-year-old daughter sitting right beside her. A short video of this moment, shared on Instagram (@indiaculturalhub), has gone viral – not for being flashy, but because it feels real.It’s a simple scene, yet it captures the grit of a mother doing whatever it takes to keep going while raising her child.
Early starts and long days
Komal Gaikwad starts her day at 6:30 am. Like any other driver, she heads straight into traffic.Komal made a small wooden seat herself so her daughter could sit comfortably next to her. It’s a simple setup, but it works. For her, this arrangement is the only way to manage both work and parenting at the same time.
A life that changed suddenly
Komal grew up in Parbhani and wanted to study further, but financial problems meant she had to stop after Class 10. She got married in 2018 and moved to Kalyan, where her husband drove an auto.Things took a difficult turn when he left for their hometown while Teju was still very young and never came back. From then on, Komal had to take care of everything on her own.
Finding a way to manage
She first worked as a security guard, but long hours made it hard to look after her daughter.
She needed something that allowed her to earn and still keep her child close.That’s when she decided to start driving an auto-rickshaw.
Small adjustments, big difference
In the beginning, Komal tried making a small space at the back of the auto for Teju to rest. But her daughter wasn’t comfortable sitting away from her.So Komal made a simple change. She placed a small seat right next to her.
Moving forward, one day at a time
Today, Komal earns around Rs 400 to Rs 500 a day. She has even managed to buy her own auto on EMI.Her goal is clear. She wants her daughter to study in a good English-medium school and have better opportunities in life.Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral video and publicly available information. The Times of India has not independently verified all details related to the incident.Thumb image: Instagram/@indiaculturalhub
