Kamal Ghorui
Imagine loving someone so fiercely you fight family taboos to build a life together – but only for them to pick a INR 3 crore property over you and your toddler. That’s the gut-wrenching reality Himi Sharma faced, but her story isn’t one about tragedy; instead, it’s about her going against the tide and winning in life. Shared raw on Humans of Bombay, her journey from debt-ridden despair to Canadian dream home has millions cheering for her. A single mom’s unbreakable spirit turned abandonment into empowerment – proving resilience beats riches. As she says, “I didn’t wait for my son to save me. I saved us both.” Here’s her inspiring story:When love’s promise turns to betrayalAs shared with Humans of Bombay, Himi said that she met her husband in 2005 during their MBA days. They dated for two years and despite their families opposition to their relationship, they decided to go ahead and marry against odds. “For three years, he was loving,” she recalls. The couple were blessed with a baby boy. But then in November 2010 her life collapsed. Her husband’s mom issued an ultimatum – choose Himi or their INR 3 crore property. And, he chose bricks over their love, leaving Himi alone with their two-year-old, no family net. “What started as love became survival,” she says.When Himi hit rock bottomA single mom’s life hit Himi hard. She revealed that she earned INR 5,000 per month by teaching back then– a salary that couldn’t even support her rent. “Every day was struggle,” she shares. When she bagged a better job at a boarding school, which was roughly INR 30,000 per month, she thought it was a relief but it wasn’t. She thought she would move in with her parents for support, by instead they demanded her to pay INR 10000 rent. The reason: Her dad’s business had tanked and her brother didn’t contribute. She was labelled as a “Burden”, but what crushed her further was when her son’s school called her to say: “Fees unpaid – son can’t sit.” Himi recalled pawning her jewelry, with tears flowing as her toddler asked, “Kya main school jaa paunga?” (will I be able to go to school). Not just this, she was socially exiled too – weddings skipped, whispers stung. But she didn’t give up and toiled hard, just to earn enough for herself and her son.The turning point: Risking everything for CanadaA decade ago, hope flickered. With less than INR 2 lakh saving, she decided it was time to “Go to Canada,” despite naysayers. Visa grind, doubts crushed. And in 2019, she landed in Canada– alone with her son. With no network, she started afresh and within a month she got a college professor job. Step-by-step she rented a flat, and even enrolled son in school. And today she owns a INR 3 crore home – which looks like true justice. “Same value he chose over us,” she smiles wryly.Instead of adhering to the advice, “Wait for son to support”, Himi flipped the script and saved both of them. From pawnshop tears to buying her own property – now that’s something only a mom can achieve through her sheer grit and determination.
