A ‘Super Mom’ In Telangana Rides 1400 Km On Scooty To Bring Her Son Back

A mother’s love is unconditional. Stories of moms going far and beyond for the happiness and safety of their children are plenty but that of 48-year-old Razia Begum from Telangana surely takes the cake.

The sudden nationwide lockdown following the Coronavirus outbreak has left several people stranded away from their homes. Razia’s son Mohammed Nizamuddin was one of them. He, along with his classmate went to Rehmatabad in Nellore on March 12.

19-year-old Mohammed Nizamuddin, a student at Narayana Medical Academy at Hyderabad, had gone with his classmate to Rehmatabad in Nellore on March 12. Nizamuddin told Indian Express,

“I accompanied him as he was going to see his father who was unwell and I also wanted to visit a dargah at Rehmatabad. We went in train on March 12. I had booked a return ticket for March 23 but the trains were canceled and the lockdown started and I got stranded there.”

He tried unsuccessfully for several days to find some transport to reach Hyderabad but to no avail. Then Nizamuddin decided to live with his friend’s family and started to figure out with his mother over phone on how to return home.

Razia Begum, who is headmistress at Bodhan Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency School, approached Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bodhan V Jaipal Reddy twice to seek advice on how to bring back her son. Razia shared,

“I approached the ACP and sought his help in bringing my son back to Bodhan. He gave me a letter permitting me to travel despite lockdown and also appealing to the Andhra Pradesh police to allow me to into the state. I travelled continuously through deserted roads and dusty villages midway. I was not scared at all.”

Being a worried mother Razia added,

“I was worried that he won’t take enough precautions to stay in safe zone to protect himself from coronavirus. Nellore is one of the affected districts and I was really worried for him. If he is at home I can keep a watch. Police suggested I wait for a few days as the lockdown was being implemented strictly.”

Finally on April 5, with the prospect of the lockdown getting extended, Razia Begum decided to go to Nellore and bring back her son. Razia explained,

“I had no option but to go on my scooty. Hiring a car was out of question as no one was interested and besides if I was travelling in a car the chances of being allowed by police on the highway were bleak. I thought that by riding on the scooty alone I would be able to convince cops to allow me to travel. I neither informed my son nor my brothers and sisters. I started off early Monday morning and only after reaching Toopran on the outskirts of Hyderabad I informed my son that I was coming to pick him up.”

A determined mother to bring her younger son back home said,

“I have been driving two-wheeler since 25 years. My husband passed away 14 years ago and even at that time I used to drive to Hyderabad on a two-wheeler when he had to undergo dialysis. So I was not afraid although the distance was daunting.”

Razia packed rotis and sabzi for her journey and filled her petrol tank wherever she found a fuel station. She also carried a can for additional fuel. Giving details about her 1400 km long journey, Razia said,

“I took 15-20 minute breaks at fuel stations, drank water and let the scooty engine cool down. Thankfully, the scooty did not break down anywhere. When I reached the Telangana-Andhra Pradesh border, it was late evening and the cops there were surprised to see me. They were taken aback when I told them where I was coming from and where I was going and it took a lot of convincing to allow me to go. They were worried about my safety; they said that there was no one on the highway and night was falling. However, I convinced them that I will be safe and drove away. The highway was dark and lonely but I had to pick up my son. I was stopped by police at a check post at 2 am on Tuesday on the outskirts Nellore. After listening to my story, they said that the road ahead was dangerous and advised me to halt for some time. I waited at a roadside shelter near the check post till 4 am and then called my son that I was nearby.”

Nizamuddin, son of the ‘super mom’ said,

“She arrived at 7:30 am. She drove almost 23-24 hours to pick me up and I was overwhelmed and very happy to see her. We left again in the afternoon and returned to Bodhan Wednesday evening. She had her first good meal after two days.”

Bodhan assistant commissioner of police V Jayapal Reddy had helped her out with a letter that asked authorities to let her travel to Nellore and bring her son back. Razia Begum said she was stopped at several places by the police in the two states on account of the lockdown but was allowed to pass because of the police officer’s letter.

Razia narrated her tale to reporters at Kamareddy on her way to Bodhan on Wednesday. She had lost her husband 12 years ago due to illness and brought up her two children, a son and a daughter.

The police stopped her at several places, but when they saw the letter from the Bodhan ACP, they allowed her to proceed. She added,

“Even at the inter-state borders, I had no issues, as the police cooperated with me. They advised me to take breaks for every two hours of journey so that I did not get tired.”

Razia said and thanked the police for their cooperation. ACP Jayapal Reddy said he was very impressed by Razia’s determination to bring her son back home. ACP Reddy said,

“She is a gutsy lady. I tried to persuade her to hire a car but she said she doesn’t have that much money and went on the scooty. She requested a letter from me stating the reason for which she was travelling to be shown if she was stopped at checkposts. Her courage to bring back her standed son is very moving.”

Razia story is an example that a mother can beyond any limit to protect her children.