A cab driver's story

I  used to commute to and from Hyderabad. One day I took a cab driven by a very young person. When I asked him his name and what he had studied, he ended up narrating his story... Here is what he said..

I am Ravi, age 22. I never stepped into school. Since I was 5, I started earning money from my livelihood. My father has never bought us anything for me and my sister till date not even a shirt or biscuit. I have always seen my father coming home in a drunk state, using filthy langugage at us and beating my mother. I started my first job at the age of 5 collecting coffee and tea glasses from mechanic shops. I was given 100 rupees per month. In 2005, at about 10 years of age, I was moved to Vijayawada to stay with a family doing business. In few more years, as I was helping the family with random works, I also learnt driving cars. In 2015, while I was leaving the family, they gave me some money as a token of gratitude. I purchased an apartment house on installments. Then, I bought my own car. With the income from driving, I was able to pay housing loan, car loan, my sister's education fee and mangae finance  for my family. These struggles in life taught me not to get addicted to alcohol or cigarettes. I did not want to waste a penny on drinks or smoke. I learnt that being disciplined is essential to make better future plans. It is not gold, silver or diamond but education is the main ornament one can present it to female children. Education will help women be indenpendent financially. I was shocked to see how women, even the educated ones, tolerate violence against them. One ugly fact that I learnt from life so far is that relatives do turn up when we are in crisis. They would come once we acheive and are well off.  

From Getty Images

Even if he told his life story in a nutshell, I believe he is a role model for several young people. I wished him all the best. I think we need more youth like Ravi. 

- Dr Keerthi Bollineni