All he had was 135 rupees, an Amputated leg, and a Will to Survive – This is His Story
A Conversation with my Cabbie that taught me the value of Hope and Hard Work - How One Man Rebuilt His Life
Recently, I was in NCR for a couple of sessions—one with employees and the other with leadership teams. During my trip, I met a cab driver who left a lasting impression on me, far beyond the professional obligations that brought me there.
From the moment he picked me up, I noticed something different about him. He was polite, helpful, and had this genuine warmth that made me want to have him drive me for the rest of my meetings.
Between dashing to meetings, grabbing quick bites, and squeezing in sessions, we got to know each other. I’ve always been curious about people’s stories, so I asked him questions, and soon enough, he started sharing his life with me.
He spoke about his daughter with such pride. She’s in the 11th grade, and he made sure she attended a self-defense workshop, even sending her to a 7-day camp.
This wasn’t exactly supported by his community—after all, she’s a girl—but he believed that girls should be self-sufficient. He was determined to make sure his daughter had the skills to stand on her own. His determination inspired other parents, who began asking him about the workshop and considering it for their own children.
His dream?
To see his daughter not just equal to men but to inspire everyone to aim higher. I was already impressed by his forward-thinking values, especially considering he came from a small rural area.
But there was more to his story…
On my final ride to the airport, he shared a story that completely blew me away.
“Have you always been a driver?” I asked.
And that’s when he began telling me the story I never knew I needed to hear.
He started working right after the 10th grade, at just 17, doing labor work to support his family. Eventually, he got married and needed to provide more for his wife and children, so he switched to driving.
He bought a truck and started his own business.
But life threw him a curveball—his wife fell terminally ill.
To cover her medical expenses, he had to sell his truck and go into debt, but he was determined to see her get better. He even ensured she had Gir cow's milk, which he believed was instrumental in her recovery.
While taking care of his wife, he did small jobs here and there and drove an auto-rickshaw for someone else. Eventually, things started looking up, and he bought a second truck.
Life was on track again—until it wasn’t.
A devastating accident left him with a severely injured leg. After three surgeries, the doctors told him the leg couldn’t be saved. It had to be amputated.
That was the first time he cried.
The doctor, noticing his tears, asked, “Are you nervous about the amputation?”
“No,” he replied.
“I’ve always stood by my family, taken care of them without asking anyone for help. But now, after this, I’m afraid I’ll be a burden to them. I can’t wrap my head around that.”
The doctor promised him that nothing would change—he would still be able to drive. And he kept that promise. After a successful operation and six months of bed rest, the doctor helped him get a prosthetic leg.
When he finally recovered, his first stop was the hospital. He drove there with a garland and a box of sweets to thank the doctor.
In front of other patients, he acknowledged how the doctor had changed his life and kept his word.
The doctor was moved to tears, and to this day, they keep in touch.
During those six months of bed rest, he had no income. He had to sell his second truck, leaving him with only 135 rupees and no source of income.
But somehow, through the help of friends, family, and even strangers, he made it through.
Today, he’s debt-free.
Our ride was only 30 minutes long, but I wished it could have lasted longer. I wanted to hear more of his story, to soak in more of his wisdom.
He shared it all with such humility, teaching me profound lessons about resilience, bravery, and trusting in something greater than ourselves.
His story made me realize that nothing in my life compares to the challenges he’s faced. I felt ashamed of ever complaining or thinking of giving up.
This man was more than just a cabbie—he was a masterclass in resilience and integrity. He never asked for extra money, never demanded reviews, always showed up on time, drove safely, and was unfailingly honest.
If this story doesn’t motivate you today, I don’t know what will.
The next time you’re struggling, think of this cabbie’s story.
Remember to have HOPE:
H – Hold On, Keep Going
O – Own Your Challenges
P – Push Through
E – Elevate with Gratitude
And if you’re in the NCR region and want to connect with him, comment or DM me. I’d be happy to put you in touch.
(For privacy reasons, I haven’t shared any personal details)
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Such an inspiring story. Everyone faces their own challenges, and each one is difficult in its own way. The cab driver reminds us to stay positive and resilient, no matter what life throws at us
Loved the story Sonali. Very touching and inspiring.