“14 days before my wedding, my father passed away. When he first fell sick, we spent most of our savings on his treatment, but to no avail. I had seen a lot of hardships growing up, but nothing could’ve prepared me for this. 2010 was definitely one of the most difficult years of my life.
I was born and brought up in a small town called Akkalkot in Solapur district. I realised early on that my family needed me to contribute financially. I stopped studying after 12th grade and started a small hotel, but it didn’t do well. That was my first setback, but I didn’t lose hope. I learnt how to drive and started making short trips within the village to earn around Rs. 6000 but that didn’t suffice either. So I continued to work hard. But my father’s death in 2010 left us shattered. I then moved to Pune and worked as a delivery boy, with a salary of Rs. 9000/- plus the occasional tips. My family had grown by then as my wife and I had a son and a daughter. My children mean the world to me and I wanted to help them achieve their dreams in every possible manner. However, unfortunately, I am diabetic and that did not allow me to work for long hours. I was lost between the need for a steady income and the need for flexibility of working hours.
Another blow struck us recently when my mother, who complained about a burning sensation in her eyes, had actually developed blood clots, leading to cataract. Doctors advised us immediate surgery, in order to protect her ability to see. The hospital and medical bills started piling up and I began to feel helpless again.
However, just like a job with Ola Cabs saved me 3 and a half years back, when I needed both- flexible work hours and a steady income, the Ola Foundation helped me cover upto 50% of my mother’s medical expenses. Despite the lockdown, I received Rs. 19,000 in my bank account without any hassle and I’m grateful.
I can’t wait for things to get back to normal and start driving people around again. Afterall, life is a war and despite all the odds and uncertainties, we have to keep going!”

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