Latest news with #AmiyanshiSrivastava
Mint
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
'AC thoda kam chalega, petrol kaafi mehenga hai': Woman shares inspiring Uber ride story
'Ma'am, AC thoda kam chalega. Petrol kaafi mehenga ho gaya hai," (Ma'am, the AC will run a little less—petrol has become quite expensive) a woman cab driver told Amiyanshi Srivastava, a LinkedIn user, at the start of her Uber ride. The statement might have left many annoyed, but for Srivastava, it turned out to be an inspiring journey. Srivastava took to LinkedIn to share her experience of taking an Uber ride in Gurugram with a female driver — something that she claimed should have been 'ordinary. But it wasn't.' She recalled that as soon as she entered the cab and provided the OTP, the driver turned around and said: 'Ma'am, the AC will run a little less. Petrol has become quite expensive.' Srivastava said she was perfectly fine with it and struck up a conversation, asking how long the woman had been driving. 'Four years,' the driver responded. The driver went on to share that she was once a school teacher. After losing her husband to a cardiac arrest, and with two children to raise, she taught herself how to drive, borrowed a friend's car, and began working with Uber. Srivastava wrote that the driver now deals with rude riders, 12-hour shifts, unsafe nights, and frequent cancellations simply because 'people don't want a female driver.' Despite the long hours, safety concerns, and gender bias, she continues to work hard — without complaints. 'And still, she shows up. Drives from 9 to 9. Keeps her kids in school. Doesn't complain. And every once in a while, she picks up someone who asks her story,' Srivastava added. 'What struck me was not just her resilience, but her complete lack of self-pity. 'I didn't have the luxury to break down,' she said.' Srivastava continued: 'And here's what stayed with me: While we talk about owning spaces online, voicing opinions, and building visibility — rightfully so — some women are just trying to survive in silence, carrying the strength the rest of us often only talk about. Somewhere in the backseat of that cab, I was reminded that ambition doesn't always hold degrees. Sometimes, it drives a second-hand Swift through Gurgaon traffic at 8 am. And it deserves to be seen.' Srivastava's LinkedIn post has struck a chord with many, drawing a flurry of comments applauding the driver's determination and strength. One user wrote: 'That's real power! Proud of that woman. May she achieve all her dreams.' Another said: 'Very inspiring real-life story!' A third added: ''I didn't have the luxury to break down.' These words hit me hard. Indeed, if someone truly wants to achieve something, nothing is impossible. What an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing. ' A fourth commented: 'Some stories are so empowering. Women like her are real-life role models.'
Mint
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
‘ Log female driver nahi chahte …': Uber driver's story of resilience melts hearts on Internet
'Log female driver nahi chahte': A woman Uber driver in Haryana's Gurugram shared her journey of going from being a school teacher to driving a cab and braving the many cancellations just because the urban lot still holds its bias against women drivers. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, a student, Amiyanshi Srivastava, shared the story of a resilient female Uber driver, and the hearts on the Internet weren't ready. Amiyanshi said one morning, she booked an Uber and was pleasantly surprised to find a female driver. 'That should've been ordinary. But it wasn't. Not here, and not yet.' After she hailed the cab and settled in, the woman told her that petrol prices were skyrocketing, so the car's AC would be set to high. 'She looked at me and said, 'Ma'am, AC thoda kam chalega. Petrol kaafi mehenga ho gaya hai.' I said okay,' the student wrote. However, a few minutes into the ride, Amiyanshi tried to get to know more about the female Uber driver in Gurugram and asked how long she'd been driving. 'Four years,' the cabbie replied. Impressed by the nonchalant reply, Amiyanshi was not ready for what came next. The woman driver shared that she used to be a school teacher, but after her husband died due to cardiac arrest, she had to act quickly for her two kids. 'She had two kids to raise and no time to wait around. So she learned how to drive, borrowed a friend's car, signed up for Uber, and figured it out,' the viral post read. 'Every day, she deals with rude riders, 12-hour shifts, nights that don't feel safe, and cancellations because 'log female driver nahi chahte.' And still, she shows up. Drives 9 to 9,' it added. 'I didn't have the luxury to break down,' the female Uber driver said. She 'keeps her kids in school, doesn't complain, and every once in a while, picks up someone who asks her story,' said Amiyanshi, for whom it wasn't just her resilience but 'her complete lack of self-pity' that set her apart. Netizens were overwhelmed by her struggle but also very proud of her. Social media users also suggested that Uber should develop a women-only fleet. 'This one is all heart. Thank you for sharing,' a user said. Another added, 'We keep searching for role models in articles and award lists. Sometimes, they drop you off at your destination and disappear.' 'That's real power!! Proud of that women, may she get all her dreams come true,' said a user. 'Some stories stay with you, not because they were dramatic, but because they were deeply human. This one did. Grateful to the ones who live quietly, but powerfully,' said another user. 'So true and honestly female drivers are not just bold but super cool!' a user quipped. One suggested: 'A female driver brings such a sense of comfort. Uber should consider launching a feature that allows users to prefer female drivers.'
