The Uber taxi driver
This morning when I called an Uber, it was quick to accept my request. On my screen flashed a photo of young woman in a hijab with her name Z. It was the first time I was going to be driven by a woman Uber driver. But what was something completely new was a woman wearing a black hijab with her arms and body covered in black flowing gown like dress.
She took some time to reach my pick up point but was extremely polite and apologetic. All my anxiety got over with her soft tone. While I was completely awed by her, I threw a volley of questions. She was quick to reply in mono syllables.
I felt she was brave enough to have strangers sitting on the back seat while she drove through in NCR. She had been driving for months now but never experienced indecent passengers.
She told me that she works until 8 pm after which she calls it a day. And on weekends ends she pursues her correspondence studies.
Uber is definitely attracting many young drivers as it pays well. Zamarrud doesn’t own the car so she is given a salary of Rs 18,000 per month by Uber. She was paid far less about Rs 8,000 by an all women’s taxi company driving only for female passengers. It’s a good jump.
My destination came and I got down. I saw Zamarrud leave and drive through the chaotic maze of traffic.
What an impact she left. I was so happy to see a young Muslim woman who did not care about what people thought about her ! She had broken through the shackles of four walls .I realised all she wants is to take charge of her own life and change it someday with education. Like the taxi steering , she wants to steer through her life !
