Komal Gaikwad of Parbhani was forced into a life-changing pivot after financial hardship blocked college and her husband left her alone when her daughter Teju was just 18 months old. With childcare impossible, she rented an auto and began driving it herself, adjusting the vehicle so her toddler could stay comfortable beside her. Earning Rs 400 to Rs 500 a day, she saved relentlessly and bought her own rickshaw on EMI. A viral video amplified her story, as her ultimate goal remains Teju’s English-medium schooling.
Mumbai auto driver Satyawan Gite has turned a regular commute into a sing-along experience. His auto-rickshaw is equipped with a built-in karaoke system, letting passengers take part while he also offers free fruits, water, and Wi-Fi. He marks birthdays and gives free rides to elderly people and pregnant women—drawing praise from celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar.
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