A simple act of duty by a Kolkata cab driver has captured the nation's attention, sparking a renewed conversation about women's safety and societal responsibility. Munna Ajij Mollick, 31, found himself an unlikely social media sensation after a video showed him ensuring the safe return home of a young, inebriated passenger on Christmas Eve.
From Aspiring Teacher to Viral Cab Driver
Mollick's story is one of resilience and unfulfilled dreams. Originally from East Burdwan, he moved to Kolkata after high school with ambitions to uplift his family through education. For eight grueling years, he worked as a security guard on a meager salary of Rs 4,200 while attending night classes at Shyama Prasad College.
His hard work paid off when he cleared the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and completed his Diploma in Elementary Education by 2022, fulfilling all criteria to teach primary students. However, his dream was derailed by massive recruitment scams and entangled court cases, leaving him and thousands of other qualified candidates in limbo.
"When I cleared TET, I felt that all my struggles would end," Mollick recounted. "For middle-class or lower middle-class people, such a scam upends their lives. Look at the inflation rate, it is not possible to make ends meet without a proper job."
With a younger brother's education to support and a father working as a security guard, Mollick turned to driving a cab for immediate income, using a Maruti Alto purchased on loan.
The Christmas Eve Incident That Went Viral
The incident that propelled Mollick to fame occurred around 10:30 pm on December 24. An intoxicated young woman, aged around 18-19, booked his cab for a long trip from South Kolkata to the northern fringes near the airport. Though she began the journey with a male friend, he disembarked at a Metro station shortly after, leaving Mollick alone with the vulnerable passenger.
"As her safety was in my hands, I knew I had to drop her home properly," Mollick stated. Sensing the sensitivity of the situation, he wisely decided to record their interaction for his own security. The woman's phone was dead, and she wished to speak to her mother. Mollick made the call, handed her the phone, and then reassured the concerned mother himself.
"I assured her that I would drop the young woman home safely, and said I would give her a call five minutes before reaching the destination so that she could come and receive her," he explained. Upon arrival, the woman was so disoriented she couldn't operate her building's door. Mollick stepped out, unlocked it for her, and waited until she was safely inside before driving away.
"It Was My Duty, Not an Extraordinary Feat"
When the video went viral and praise poured in, an overwhelmed Mollick called his mother. Her response offered a profound perspective. "When I told her of the praise I was receiving, she just said, 'Why are people praising you? What else are you expected to do? Dropping her home safely was your duty, not an extraordinary feat'," he shared. This reaction, he says, kept him grounded.
Mollick's act resonates deeply in a city still grappling with the aftermath of the RG Kar incident, where a woman doctor was raped and murdered, severely shaking public trust.
"As a citizen of Kolkata, I always felt the city was very safe, but what has happened in the last two years totally changed the scenario. The trust has gone," Mollick reflected. "I can’t do much about it, but what I can do is this: I talk to those who get into my car and make them comfortable so that they feel safe."
He added a poignant observation on modern society: "Sadly, we are living in a world where doing the right thing has become remarkable. In this incident in particular, the woman wasn’t fully conscious, so I just had to tolerate her tantrums and ensure her safety, which I did. That’s my duty."
Munna Mollick's story is more than a viral moment; it is a narrative of personal integrity amidst professional disappointment, and a quiet reminder of the collective responsibility required to rebuild a city's sense of security.
