‘In-laws tried to break me’: Delhi mom turns autorickshaw driver to secure better future for herself and her daughter; netizens calls her a ‘badass’

Sometimes emancipation can be just a woman and her autorickshaw. Fed up with domestic abuse and lack of respect, a Delhi resident called Neelam boldly decided to be in charge of her life and destiny and became a full-time autorickshaw driver. Her inspiring story has gone viral on the Delhi subreddit and drawn praise from netizens for her can-do attitude.

Taking to the subreddit on Sunday, a Reddit user called FeatureAnnual9088 dedicated a post called ‘She Drives, She Rules’ to Neelam.

“Meet Neelam, who refuses to stay in the passenger’s seat,” she wrote.


She went on to describe how she was looking for an auto when she spotted Neelam, who was on the hunt for a passenger.

“As we drove, I couldn’t help but ask, “What made you choose this?” She smiled a smile that carried both pain and power. “I had no choice. My in-laws tried to break me; my husband tried to silence me. But I decided to fight back,” she wrote.

“Now every ride she takes isn’t just about reaching a destination. It’s about proving a point, reclaiming her life, and building a better future for her daughter, one where fear has no place. Neelam isn’t just driving an auto. She’s driving change,” she added.

Netizens React

The post went viral on Reddit, gaining more than 2,000 likes. Many netizens gushed over Neelam making a name for herself in a male-dominated field. Some were in awe of how she took over the reigns of her life and built a better future for her daughter.

“So happy to see her breaking stereotypes!” read one comment.

“Neelam is a badass!” wrote another.

“This is the real feminism where motivation thrives a lot of energy with true agitation to bring a positive and equal change in society. Keep working hard, ladies, and take your stand whenever it seems so,” observed another user.