“For a long time, I spent my days behind the wheel of a rental cab, wondering when I would finally have a vehicle of my own.

I came to Hyderabad from Hanamkonda with my family, looking for a way to build a better life. Driving a rental cab was where I started. Every day, I would take the car out, wait for bookings and spend hours on the road trying to earn enough for my family. Whenever I had some time between rides, I would sit in the car and think about what I could do next. Today, I am my own boss.

I invested my own hard-earned money and bought this heavy-duty goods carrier auto. Moving from a rental cab to owning my own vehicle was a turning point for me. For the first time, I felt I was building something of my own.

Now, through apps like Porter, bookings come directly to my phone. One day I might carry a bike, another day furniture, and sometimes an entire household. Every trip is different, but every trip matters. The work isn’t as easy as it may look. I have to lift every item carefully, arrange everything properly and tie it securely so nothing gets damaged. People trust me with their belongings, and I take that responsibility seriously.

There are plenty of difficult days too. But I’ve learned that in this field of work, your integrity matters. If you are honest, punctual and take care of people’s belongings, they remember you. That trust brings ratings, bookings and, most importantly, respect.

Sometimes, I miss the old days—sitting with friends at an Irani café over chai and Osmania biscuits, talking about life, going to cinema theatres to watch movies. Things were different then. Today, there is much more responsibility on my shoulders.

But when I get home and see my family, every drop of sweat and every heavy lift fades away. I have one dream: to see my daughters grow up, stand tall, and build a future far brighter than mine. Every mile I drive today is simply my way of keeping that promise.”

— Md Rahmanth