Thursday 24 May 2018

Changing Lives With Small but......Oh so Feisty step!





Everyone deals with pain differently. When the husband of a young woman, who lived in a slum, died, the pain was so intense, that she wondered whether she would survive it.

But, on second thoughts, she wiped her eyes and her tears dry'd up! It was not impossible for her to outlive the death of her husband, when the hard reality of taking care of her mother-in-law and her son hit her!
She did survived and decided to drive an autorickshaw! Of all the things why an autorickshaw? "How can women drive autos? Isn't it after all men's job?"

Well, her late husband would drive rented autorickshaws and this young lady who had a passion for driving, knew how to drive an auto, as her husband had helped her to master the skill of driving.

When her husband passed away, she managed to get a permit as the Maharashtra Government scheme of the state reserves five percent of rickshaw permits for women, but, she had to put a tough fight to break the barriers and make a place for herself in a male centric field.

We all know female auto-drivers across the country have had to combat chauvinism.

Initially, many people  were unwilling to rent out their autorickshaws to her on the sole ground that she was a woman.

She did not give up and got in touch with various women empowerment groups who helped her to drive rented autorickshaws. Soon, she managed to buy an auto with her small savings.

She was looked down upon by her own family and society for joining this profession, though she was appreciated by many for the courage to break into the male-dominated profession.

Her mother-in-law objected to her decision and suggested that there were so many other things she could do for survival. Not only, the family pressure was bogging her down, but the pressure of society was no less. She was often chased by the bikers. She wondered why people would often point at her, telling one another, of the lady auto-driver in the lane. She failed to understand this  peculiar Indian habit, "If we see a woman behind a four wheeler, or a woman driving an auto, bus, taxi or train and we must give a second look!"

She never took this small step,"Kadam chhota" to break the stereotype. She took up this profession of an auto-driver to make both the ends meet, as that was the best thing she could do. Driving an autorickshaw was a step that enabled her to fill the financial void that was created due to the absence of her husband.


Soon she realised her small step was leading to "Change bada." She noticed that her chhota kadam was encouraging more and more women to join driving a cab, an autorickshaw or just any other public transport such as a train or a bus. Though her adversity brought her to drive an autorickshaw for a regular source of income, she wished that more women should take up this profession.

Despite opposition and challenges, this young woman did not give up and inspired a generation of women auto-drivers. Little did she know that her step though small was a feisty one! 

"This young woman shuts all the stereotypes down, when she drives around the lanes of her town!"

"Kadam Chhota, Change Bada!"

Come on, You all will agree with me that if you see a woman driving an autorickshaw, you stop and give her a second look!

Today, when I sat down to share my "small steps"  story, I reminisced the fond memories of this woman auto-driver, whom I had met a few years back in Thane. I couldn't resist myself then and had asked her, "Why as an auto-driver?" 
I outstandingly remember her words, "Madam, I don't have a college degree, if I would engage in manual labour, it would involve long hours of working and low pay. This profession serves as a higher source of income and also its flexible hours helps me to take care of my family as well. It's my choice, a small step to support my family!" 

I distinctly remember her name as,"Vimla", and remarkably remember her story of "small steps" that was narrated by her then.


Contrary to popular stereotypes that portray women as weak, Yes, women are capable of enormous strength, including the strength to bring about CHANGE for themselves and for others.

Change can be about women driving  autorickshaws for a living!

Gender and social bias should no way dictate what anybody wants to do with their lives.

The following situation is quite common.
When, late at night and you're returning home from work, the streets are almost empty, you hail the only autorickshaw or a taxi , you see on the streets and you see it is  driven by a man. Your heart sinks in fear, when he gives you that sly look, you truly wish that you could have been driven by a woman driver. 

Considering the rising incidents of crimes against women, this is the most welcome change as women feel a lot safer travelling alone, when other women drive them. Though the change is bada as these drivers have all the courage to step into what was considered a man's world before,we cannot overlook the safety of the women drivers who ply vehicles at night! We need to take many more stern steps to change this scenerio of  rising crimes against women! 

Nonetheless, there are many unsung heroes like Vimla, Yes, I repeat many "UNSUNG HEROES" who not only control their lives, despite challenges and provide for their families but also contribute in their own small ways to bring about changes in today's scenerio.

Hat's Off to these women autorickshaw drivers who have all the determination to ply the streets of our cities happily in their autos!

"Kadam Chhota, Change Bada!"


picture credit tribune.com

Every change begins with a small step, whether it’s a change within your family, or the whole country! India’s hero, Padman, had its digital premiere on ZEE5, on 11th May. Don’t miss this inspiring true-life story, only on ZEE5.Download the app and subscribe now.For every subscription, ZEE5 will donate Rs. 5 towards the personal hygiene needs of underprivileged women.

#PadmanOnZEE5

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