“People think driving an auto is just about sitting and driving around all day. But with prices going up every month, it’s getting harder to survive. Rent, groceries, fuel, school fees for children — it takes at least ₹40,000 a month to run a family in Hyderabad now, sometimes even more.

But now things are getting tougher. After the free bus travel scheme for women was introduced, the number of passengers choosing autos has dropped sharply. Earlier, many women including students, working professionals and families relied on autos like mine. Now, most prefer buses. It’s a helpful initiative and I say this with due respect, but for drivers like us, it has brought new challenges.

I studied only till Class 7. After my father passed away due to cancer, we had to manage on our own. We are four siblings, and about 20 years ago, we moved to Hyderabad looking for work.

My first job in the city was at a small hotel kitchen. I worked hard, but most of the earnings went to the owner. There were days I barely had anything left. That’s when I decided to buy an auto. Clearing the EMIs was tough, but over time, I managed. Driving gave me a sense of independence. I enjoyed meeting new people and exploring the city every day.

These days, I mostly wait near railway stations or hospitals hoping to find some rides. With rising costs and fewer passengers, it’s a daily struggle to make ends meet. Still, I try to give back in small ways. I have been donating a little from my earnings every month to orphanages. I know what it’s like to struggle, and even if I don’t have much, I try to help where I can.

This auto may not have changed my life overnight, but it has kept me going. And that’s more than enough.”