In a rare first steering towards change and empowerment, women auto drivers are motoring towards empowerment in Patna. Many of them have now become bread earners for their families.
"We wait outside schools and colleges and students are glad to see women auto drivers," an auto driver Sarita Pandey said.
It all began when the Patna auto-rickshaw association began training 35 women of which 15 were selected in the first phase. With a license and bank loans of 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh, they were soon zooming on the streets of Patna. A monthly income of Rs 12,000 to 15,000 leaves enough room to repay the EMIs of Rs 4000.
Straight out from the confines of their homes, it's a daring entry into a male bastion which many females would not dare to take up. "People stop our autos and tell us that this is not a woman's job," auto driver Sarita Pandey said.
However, their presence has given a sense of security to women travelers and has been regarded as a welcome step for women commuters. Only families with women are allowed to uses these autos. "We feel safe leaving our homes in autos and driving on the streets," a passenger Anita said.
The new auto drivers also share the credit of the initiative with their families. "My husband has been very supportive otherwise it wouldn't have been possible," an auto driver Namita said.
Patna auto-drivers association feels elated for having taken the initiative that has given these women a new freedom. "It is challenging for women to drive autos and get on the road. We were certain to implement it." President Patna auto-drivers association Raj Kumar Jha said.
It's a welcome trend and these new fast lane girls on the streets are inspiring many more to join the tribe taking the number of women drivers in the city from 12 to 50 in just a month.
"We wait outside schools and colleges and students are glad to see women auto drivers," an auto driver Sarita Pandey said.
It all began when the Patna auto-rickshaw association began training 35 women of which 15 were selected in the first phase. With a license and bank loans of 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh, they were soon zooming on the streets of Patna. A monthly income of Rs 12,000 to 15,000 leaves enough room to repay the EMIs of Rs 4000.
Straight out from the confines of their homes, it's a daring entry into a male bastion which many females would not dare to take up. "People stop our autos and tell us that this is not a woman's job," auto driver Sarita Pandey said.
However, their presence has given a sense of security to women travelers and has been regarded as a welcome step for women commuters. Only families with women are allowed to uses these autos. "We feel safe leaving our homes in autos and driving on the streets," a passenger Anita said.
The new auto drivers also share the credit of the initiative with their families. "My husband has been very supportive otherwise it wouldn't have been possible," an auto driver Namita said.
Patna auto-drivers association feels elated for having taken the initiative that has given these women a new freedom. "It is challenging for women to drive autos and get on the road. We were certain to implement it." President Patna auto-drivers association Raj Kumar Jha said.
It's a welcome trend and these new fast lane girls on the streets are inspiring many more to join the tribe taking the number of women drivers in the city from 12 to 50 in just a month.
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