In a reminder of the silent struggles endured by many gig economy workers, a LinkedIn post by Gurugram-based CEO Mayank Agarwal has brought national attention to Pankaj, a Swiggy delivery partner who balances his professional duties while caring for his two-year-old daughter, Tun Tun.
Agarwal recounted the incident: "I received a call from a Swiggy delivery partner who said, 'I have reached.' I asked him to come to the second floor, but just before hanging up, I heard a child's voice in the background. Curious, I asked, 'Is there a child with you?' He replied, 'Yes.' I immediately said, 'I'll come downstairs.'"
Upon meeting Pankaj at the gate, Agarwal was moved to see the delivery agent with his toddler daughter seated on the bike. Pankaj explained that he brings Tun Tun along during deliveries because he has no one else to look after her. Her older brother attends evening classes, and their mother passed away during childbirth.
Despite facing criticism from some customers who have told him, "Sit at home if you can't manage—having a toddler is your problem," Pankaj continues his work with quiet determination. Agarwal noted, "But he had no complaints—only a quiet smile."
The LinkedIn post has garnered widespread attention, with many users expressing empathy and admiration for Pankaj's resilience. One user commented, "This is deeply moving. A little institutional empathy can go a long way in changing lives." Another noted, "Women have been doing this for ages without any post dedicated to them... kudos to this man and the millions of women who do this day in and day out without featuring anywhere!"
In response to the viral post, Swiggy has yet to issue an official statement. However, the story has sparked conversations about the challenges faced by gig workers and the need for greater support systems to assist them.
Agarwal concluded his post with a call for empathy: "This moment reminded me how much we take for granted—and how many silently carry extraordinary burdens every day. To Mr. Pankaj and little Tun Tun—your strength is truly inspiring."
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