Despite enduring daily pain from metal rods in his leg following a devastating road accident, Sanjay Lal continues to spend long hours driving a taxi – determined to provide for his family.
For more than 15 years, the Wainiveidio, Navua resident has earned a living transporting passengers around town.
His journey, however, has not been without hardship.
A serious road accident while driving a bus left him with a fractured leg and injuries that continue to affect him years later.
“While driving a bus a few years back, a truck hit it leaving me with a serious injury. Now I have metal rods inside my leg because of the bone fracture.”
For many people, such an injury could have marked the end of a career behind the wheel but for Lal, it became another obstacle to overcome.
“Even though I experience pain in my leg, especially during the cold weather, I still get up to go to work,” he said.
His workday begins at 6am and often ends at 7pm.
Stationed near Jack’s of Fiji in Navua, he relies on regular customers and daily fares to make a living.
Lal drives the taxi on behalf of the vehicle owner.
Each week, he must first meet a payment obligation before earning income for himself and his family.
“I have to give the owner $300 a week and then the rest is what I take home,” he said.
“Right now, in Navua there isn’t a lot of work, so trying to make $300 in a week can be tough.”
The determination that keeps him working today was shaped by challenges he faced from a young age.
Born to a father from Navua and a mother from Sigatoka, Lal left school while still in primary school because his family struggled financially.
“I came from a not-so-well-off family, so I left school in Class 3,” he said.
“My father was sickly, so I had to help out at home with odd jobs I could find.”
He spent his younger years assisting at garages and learning mechanical work.
When he became eligible for a driver’s licence, he seized the opportunity to enter the transport industry.
Over the years, he drove Maharaj and Shankar Singh buses around Navua before eventually moving into the taxi business.
Today, Lal and his wife, Uma Devi, continue to work hard to support their family.
His wife works as a tailor, while their three children are also employed.
Together, the couple’s earnings helped put their children through school, build a home and create a more secure future.
Looking back on his journey, Lal takes pride not only in what he has achieved, but also in the example he hopes to set for others.
“I encourage people, especially young people, to work hard and earn a living for themselves,” he said.
“If I can work even with metal rods in my leg, anyone can.”
For Lal, every day on the road is a reminder that persistence is about someone’s willingness to keep moving forward.
