A late-night cab ride on Christmas Eve has unexpectedly turned Munna Ajij Mollick (31), a cab driver in Kolkata, into a viral name on social media, after he ensured the safe return home of an inebriated young woman passenger. While many online hailed him as a hero, Mollick insists he merely did his duty — a sentiment echoed most strongly by his mother.
From classroom dreams to cab driving
Originally from East Burdwan, Mollick moved to Kolkata after completing high school, hoping education would help him uplift his family. For eight years, he worked as a security guard on a modest salary while attending night classes at Shyama Prasad College.
By 2022, his perseverance paid off when he cleared the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and completed a Diploma in Elementary Education. However, recruitment scams and prolonged court cases stalled appointments for thousands of qualified candidates, including Mollick.
“For middle-class families, such uncertainty destroys lives,” he said, explaining how rising costs and family responsibilities forced him to abandon teaching aspirations and turn to cab driving using a loan-financed Maruti Alto.
The Christmas Eve incident
The viral incident occurred around 10.30 pm on Christmas Eve, when Mollick picked up a visibly intoxicated young woman for a long ride from south Kolkata towards the airport area. Her male companion exited the cab early in the journey, leaving Mollick alone with the passenger.
Realising the sensitivity of the situation, Mollick began recording the ride to protect both the passenger and himself. When the woman’s phone battery died, he contacted her mother and assured her that her daughter would be dropped home safely.
On reaching the destination, Mollick helped the woman unlock her building door and waited until she was safely inside before leaving.
‘It was my duty, nothing more’
As praise poured in online, Mollick shared the news with his mother. Her response stayed with him. “She said, ‘Why are people praising you? This is what you are supposed to do,’” he recalled.
The incident has resonated strongly in Kolkata, particularly in the shadow of last year’s tragic case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which deeply shook public confidence in women’s safety.
A quiet reminder of responsibility
Mollick believes the attention reflects a troubling reality. “We live in a time where doing the right thing is considered extraordinary,” he said. “If someone is vulnerable, ensuring their safety is basic human responsibility.”
His story has reopened conversations about trust, safety and everyday accountability in urban India — reminding many that integrity does not always wear a uniform or hold a title.