This sexagenarian rides on confidence!
AGRA: A grandmother of three children has become an inspiration for many others of her ilk.
Zeb-un-Nisa, 60, is an auto rickshaw driver and a cancer patient. But age and disease are no deterrents to the gutsy woman whose job, strenuous though it may be, drives other women to earn their living with dignity. One can spot her driving her ‘Mayuri’ rickshaw on the busy Mahatma Gandhi (MG) road of the city.
Zeb-un-Nisa became the sole breadwinner of her family after the death of her husband in an accident 20 years ago. She was also shattered after the death of her son due to cancer, but did not give up, for she wanted a good life for her grandchildren.
Presently she is living in a rented accommodation in Lohamandi with her three grandchildren, two granddaughters and a grandson. Few know that Zeb-un-Nisa is also a cancer patient.
Since the death of her husband and son, she is working hard with the hope to see her grandchildren highly educated and good citizens of the nation. Zeb-un-Nisa said that after the death of her husband, she faced a lot of financial and other problems, but as time passed she became used to the hardships and more determined to work with honour.
“I worked as a maid and did domestic work after the death of my husband. Thereafter, I learnt to drive an auto rickshaw, but as per the ban on auto rickshaws on MG road, I have been driving a battery operated rickshaw from Bhagwan talkies to Sai ka Takia,” she said.
With confidence in her eyes, Zeb-un-Nisa told HT that she always got everyone’s support and whenever she was depressed fellow drivers encouraged her. She also shared that nobody tried to create problems for her.
“Nowadays it is difficult to run a family, but whatever I earn is spent on the education of my grandchildren and on my treatment,” she said, adding she did not need anyone’s help, as she was strong enough to take care of her family.
Zeb-un-Nisa has set an example that other woman are now following. Sarita Sharma, who also drives an auto rickshaw on the same route said, “Aunty inspires me a lot and I have begun driving to fulfill my family’s needs. She is just like a mother and teaches me a lot.”