Woman Overcomes Poverty and Widowhood to Become Kolkata’s First Pink Cab Driver

Kolkata, India — September 29, 2026

Manasi Mridha has overcome years of financial hardship, family rejection and the loss of her husband to build an independent life and become Kolkata’s first Pink Cab driver.

Mridha grew up in a family facing severe financial difficulties. After her father left the family, her mother worked as a domestic cook to support Manasi and her younger sister. Financial problems eventually forced Manasi to leave school after Class IX.

A Difficult Start in Life

Manasi married at a young age and later became a widow while still young. She was left to care for her young son and faced rejection from her in-laws. With limited support from her family, she began taking different jobs to provide for her child.

She eventually worked as a sales executive and later discovered an opportunity to learn professional driving through the Azad Foundation’s Women on Wheels initiative.

Learning to Drive Changed Her Path

After receiving driving training, Manasi worked as a private driver and also helped teach driving skills to other women.

Her experience eventually led her to Sakha Consulting Wings, an organization that supports women who want to work in professional transportation. The opportunity helped her move closer to her goal of becoming an independent driver.

Becoming a Pink Cab Driver

When Kolkata introduced its women-only Pink Cab initiative, Manasi applied alongside around 150 other candidates. Her name appeared at the top of the selected list, making her the first woman chosen for the initiative.

Her journey from leaving school as a teenager to becoming a professional driver represents a major change in her circumstances. She now works in the transport sector while supporting her son and building a more independent future.

Sources

• The Times of India — Her father rejected her for being a girl, but Manasi Mridha overcame poverty, widowhood and hardship to become Kolkata’s first Pink Cab driver — September 27, 2026.
• Get Bengal — Manasi Mridha, Kolkata’s first pink cab driver was abandoned by her dad for being a daughter.