Meet Jamila Khan, the only woman newspaper hawker in Amritsar

Picking up newspaper bundles, packing them into the bicycle basket and starting her day at the crack of the dawn -- the journey hasn’t been easy for 30-year-old Jamila Khan, who has been delivering newspapers for almost a decade and takes pride as she earns her bread and butter from this work considered to be a male bastion.

Picking up newspaper bundles, packing them into her bicycle basket and then pressing the pedals at the crack of the dawn --- life isn’t easy for 30-year-old Jamila Khan, the only female newspaper hawker in the holy city.

Jamila Khan, the only woman newspaper hawker in Amritsar, takes pride in what she does. (Sameer Sehgal /HT)

However, Jamila, who crumbled a male bastion a decade ago, takes pride in her job.

Each morning, Jamila cycles into the local newspaper collection centre and then pushed off with her consignment .The presence of men all around doesn’t bother the woman with an indefatigable spirit.

“Challenges are a way of life for me. When I opted for this profession, no one in my family liked it, but I was determined to do it. Harsh weather, long distances or odd-working hours, nothing has been able to deter me in these 10 years,” says Jamila while talking to HT.

“I started working with a leading daily where I looked after newspaper bookings. Later, I started distributing papers in limited areas. Now, I cover a major portion of the university, including hostels (both boys and girls) and staff residences,” adds the breadwinner of her family.

“It’s my passion and confidence which keeps me going. Not being really educated has never become a hindrance on my way,” Khan says.

“In winters, it’s usually dark and foggy when I start my day. But I don’t get scared as I am able to handle things on my own,” says Jamila. The woman draws immense strength when morning walkers shower their appreciation with a wave of hand or a salute.