Driving for a brighter future: Mother with baby in tow drives e-rickshaw in Amroha

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Gajraula, Amroha, a remarkable sight captures attention – Pooja Rani, a 27-year-old woman, steering an e-rickshaw through the streets with her 2-year-old daughter, Soni, securely fastened to her waist. Pooja's story is one of determination and empowerment, as she navigates the roads of Amroha to provide for her family while caring for her child. Pooja's day begins at 8 am, as she prepares breakfast for her husband Anuj Kumar and young daughter.

With Soni wrapped safely in a scarf around her waist, Pooja embarks on her e-rickshaw, picking up passengers and driving around town. Her journey doesn't end there – by noon, she returns home to bathe and feed her daughter before hitting the road once more. Often working until 5 pm, Pooja's commitment sometimes extends into the night.

As the sole female e-rickshaw driver in her area, Pooja stands out in a profession traditionally dominated by men. She keeps her daughter with her throughout the day due to the lack of available childcare options. «I keep my daughter with me throughout the day as there’s no one to look after her at home,» she explains.

Pooja's life took a challenging turn when she married Vinesh Kumar in 2016. Struggling with alcoholism and abusive behavior, Pooja found herself in a difficult situation. Despite the hardships, she managed to leave the toxic marriage and eventually found solace in Anuj Kumar, whom she married in January of the present year.

Originally from Shyampur village in Moradabad, Pooja and her husband moved to Gajraula in search of employment opportunities. Anuj, who initially worked as an autorickshaw driver, saw potential in the e-rickshaw business and decided to give it a try. Despite financial constraints, the couple managed to acquire an