Rags to riches is a trope we all enjoy reading and watching. There is something so intrinsically appealing and redeeming about someone who actually makes it in this world. Especially when they had to overcome a lot of hardships and obstacles to get to their position. A similar story came to light recently after a Microsoft employee named Shaheena Attarwala came forth to talk about her experiences growing up in the Mumbai slums and how she made her way to a proper apartment in the city of dreams. In her Twitter thread which has gone viral, Shaheena details her journey to getting where she is right now.
Shaheena watched the Netflix show Bad Boy Billionaires: India and was surprised to see her old home in the slums of Mumbai. She took to Twitter and talked about her experience.
The @netflix series "Bad Boy Billionaires – India" Captures a birds-eye view of the slum in Bombay I grew up before moving out alone in 2015 to build my life.
One of the homes you see in the photos is ours. You also see better public toilets which were not like this before. pic.twitter.com/fODoTEolvS— Shaheena Attarwala شاہینہ (@RuthlessUx) January 26, 2022
Shaheena talked to NDTV and said that she used to live near the Durga Ali slum near Bandra. Her father was a hawker for essential oils who had come to Mumbai from Uttar Pradesh. She said that growing up in the slums made her face a lot such as gender bias and sexual harassment. However, this made her want to build and design a different life for herself. Shaheena detailed that by age 15 she had observed that a lot of women around her were helpless and didn’t have the means or independence to live their lives the way they wanted to. She says, “I did not want to accept the default fate that awaited me.” That is one powerful woman!
Life in the slum was hard, it exposed me to severest living conditions, gender bias, & sexual harassment but it also fueled my curiosity to learn & to design a different life for myself. pic.twitter.com/RjLf4TfJzl
— Shaheena Attarwala شاہینہ (@RuthlessUx) January 26, 2022
The first time Shaheena saw a computer, she was attracted to it. She said, “I believed that computers could be a great leveller, that anyone who was sitting in front of it would have opportunities.” However, due to her poor grades, she was forced to do needlework. Despite the rejection, she kept dreaming of building a career in technology.
Shaheena Attarwala forced her father to take a loan for her computer classes. She skipped lunches and started walking back home to save up for the classes. The determination is inspiring!
Like me, millions of families in India live in poverty and are unseen by you. Their only hope is that an average educated Indian will ask the right questions to people in power and that can change their lives.
— Shaheena Attarwala شاہینہ (@RuthlessUx) January 26, 2022
She said, “I quit programming and chose to pursue a career in design because the design made me believe that possibilities exist and things can change and technology is that tool to the change.” Just last year she was able to move to a proper apartment in Mumbai with ventilation, space and greenery.
In 2021 my family moved to an apartment where we can see the sky from home, good sunlight & ventilation. Surrounded by birds & Greenery. From my father being a hawker & sleeping on roads to having a life, we could barely dream of. Luck, Hardwork & picking battles that matter😌 pic.twitter.com/J2Ws2i4ffA
— Shaheena Attarwala شاہینہ (@RuthlessUx) January 26, 2022
Also Read: This Twitter Thread About New Year’s Resolutions, COVID-19 Pandemic And Mental Health Is Just What We Need Before Entering 2022
Shaheena’s story has moved a lot of Twitter peeps as they lauded her for her dedication and hard work.
How inspirational! #Onwards
— Raheel Khursheed (@Raheelk) January 26, 2022
You are an inspiration 🙌 for many who dare to dream big.
Asking questions to the people in power is the worst nightmare for people without spine, God has stopped producing people with Spine now a days.
God bless you with all the happiness you desire.
Loved your way of thinking— Roshani (@Roshan32903432) January 28, 2022
Very wholesome Shaheena. So happy to read this. 😄
— Rajat Dutta (@RajatDutta13) January 26, 2022
Thanks for sharing Shaheena, absolute important purpose of any government should be " lifting poor out of poverty" human life is sacrosanct, every life deserves dignity, wish our states provide more support and help more in escaping poverty.
— Sunil (@sunil_sachin) January 26, 2022
As I said, rags to riches is a very satisfying trope. After all, it is nice seeing the story of people like Shaheena Attarwala make it. It gives the rest of us hope to work hard in our own lives.
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