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IN PHOTOS: Abandoned young, Kalyan mother now drives autorickshaw with daughter by her side

Updated On: 28 April, 2026 01:21 PM IST | Tarun Verma

Komal Gaikwad, a 25-year-old single mother from Kalyan drives an autorickshaw with her daughter by her side, working nearly 16 hours a day to make ends meet. Battling abandonment and financial hardship, she continues her journey with resilience to secure a better future for her child. (Pic/Tarun Verma)

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With tiny hands beside her on the seat, Komal Gaikwad drives through life – one ride at a time – for her daughter’s bright future

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With tiny hands beside her on the seat, Komal Gaikwad drives through life – one ride at a time – for her daughter’s bright future
Komal, a single mother, has been driving an auto-rickshaw since 2024 across Kalyan, Dombivali and Thakurli

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Komal, a single mother, has been driving an auto-rickshaw since 2024 across Kalyan, Dombivali and Thakurli

Speaking with Mid-Day, Komal (25) said that her husband left her and went back to his native village, leaving all the responsibilities on her shoulders

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Speaking with Mid-Day, Komal (25) said that her husband left her and went back to his native village, leaving all the responsibilities on her shoulders

Komal, after driving an auto-rickshaw on the bustling streets of Kalyan, has now made it her only source of earning that gets the food on the table for her daughter

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Komal, after driving an auto-rickshaw on the bustling streets of Kalyan, has now made it her only source of earning that gets the food on the table for her daughter

With a Rs 6,500 EMI to pay every month, Gaikwad continues to push forward every day—not for herself, but for her daughter’s future

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With a Rs 6,500 EMI to pay every month, Gaikwad continues to push forward every day—not for herself, but for her daughter’s future

She starts at 6:30 in the morning and drives till 12:30 in the afternoon. After taking a 3-hour break, both Komal and her 3-year-old daughter Tejaswi go back to the road and drive around the city till 10:00 pm

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She starts at 6:30 in the morning and drives till 12:30 in the afternoon. After taking a 3-hour break, both Komal and her 3-year-old daughter Tejaswi go back to the road and drive around the city till 10:00 pm

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