With 41 females driving autos in Navi Mumbai, the satellite city has paved way for many women to pursue their dream of becoming self reliant and financially independent. What is even more interesting is the fact that some of these women are highly qualified equipped with Graduate degrees, yet have no inhibition in driving autos as this helps them to manage the dual responsibility of managing home and earning a livelihood with ease.
“I have a small kid aged eight years old. As I have a nuclear family, it is not possible for me to take up a full time job inspite of having a degree in Bachelors of Arts. When I learnt that women are being issued permits to drive autos, I immediately took up the opportunity and applied for it. With the support of my husband and my neighbor, I am able to manage my family as well as my profession,” says Surekha V. Patil, who has been driving auto since recently.
For Yogita B. Mane, too, driving auto is a means of becoming self reliant which has helped her in supporting her husband in paying off the loan, which they took recently and in looking after her two small kids. “Initially my husband opposed my decision of driving auto. But I decided to apply for permit and completed all the formalities on my own without his knowledge. When I brought auto home, there was opposition by him initially as he felt that the profession is unsuitable for females. However, gradually, he realized that like other profession, driving auto too, is a profession that can be taken up by women. Now he not only supports me but looks after our two children in my absence. Besides, together we are able to manage our finances well,” happily says Yogita, who too has a BA degree.
None of the women auto drivers have any complaints with regards to the behavior of the passengers. “We mostly ferry women passengers, but at times, we do take male passengers too. But so far, I have not had any bad experience,” says Sangeeta Kasbe, who has been driving auto since January this year. Like others, Sangeeta too feels that this profession gives her immense flexibility in managing home and profession. Her husband and mother in law support her completely in this endeavor. “Without the support of family members, it may not have been possible to pursue my dream,” she adds.
“Our male colleagues, too, are very supportive and boost our morale. Many of them give our examples to their family members and encourage them to join the profession as well,” says Yogita.
The high qualification also enables these lady auto drivers in helping their colleagues in filling forms and other documents. “As I have a knowledge of English too, I sometimes also perform the role of the translator between the passenger and my colleague,” laughingly says Yogita, who recently tried to help a foreigner in communicating to an auto driver.
The passengers, too, are highly appreciative and speak highly of their driving skills and traffic discipline. “It is really heartening to see women taking up this profession. I have personally experienced that these ladies not only drive smoothly but are well versed in traffic discipline. Besides, they are very polite,” says Vijay Nayak, a resident of Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
“It is indeed heartening to note that many women have come forward to apply for auto permits. The main aim of the traffic department in giving auto permits to women is to empower them and to make female passengers feel safe. Not only the female auto drivers are well versed in traffic discipline but have extremely good driving skills and have been highly appreciated by passengers. Further, women auto drivers are polite and tender with the passengers. This has also motivated many of their male colleagues to follow example,” says Sanjay Dole, Deputy RTO, Navi Mumbai.
The officials feel that the examples of these 41 female auto drivers will encourage many more women to embrace the profession and become self reliant.
