Some women have made it to the presidential palaces in many countries, won laurels in science and even made it to the top posts in the armed forces. Women, in Coimbatore hare no different.
They can take to the streets to support their families if need be, and that is just what some women in the city are doing.
Eight ladies in the city have taken to driving autos, and that too their own autos, zipping around the city everyday. Awed by their chosen profession, we caught up with some of these lady transporters and got to know their tales.
Usha S., from Singanallur has been driving her auto for six years and feels that she can earn more by driving an auto than going out and working for someone else. She separated from her husband before he passed away.
Usha, who moved into her parent’s house in Singanallur told us how she got into the business, “My dad taught me how to drive an auto, and I’m quite happy doing what I do. I have a son who is studying in class 10 in a matriculation school.”
Usha explained further saying. “I only use my auto to transport passengers and children to school. I start at eight am and get back home by six.
I go back home and make my son a good dinner every night. Being an auto driver has given me that freedom, and the best part of it all is that I get a chance to meet different people. I love taking children to school and I am also starting to learn English from them. The only difficult part for me is witnessing accidents.”
S. Shantamani, another lady auto driver in the city has been in the business for three years and says that she goes only on passenger runs and dispatches consignments for a few businesses in her area. She says, “My husband is also an auto driver and his friends taught me how to drive when I asked him.
From the beginning, he has been very supportive, getting me my license and teaching me the ropes of the work. I am really happy doing this. Many people stop and shake my hand and the men folk of this trade are very supportive of us too, even looking out us.
We were even appreciated by the Chief Minister, J. Jayalalitha, before she came to power. When we met her, she promised some help from the government, so we recently sent her a letter. We know she must be really busy, but we have faith in her.”
S. Ramani is the youngest of the lot. She says, “My husband is an auto driver too and he taught me to drive an auto. I was a house wife before I got into this line of work. I really liked riding two wheelers when I was smaller, so after getting married I asked my father in law if I could get my own auto. Every morning, my husband and I would take his auto out and he would teach me to drive. I absolutely love going on my school runs in the morning. Listening to the children talking and having fun while I take them to school is so much fun. When I approach parents to take their children to school, they immediately respond positively. These little boys and girls make my work a lot of fun. I love my work and will not give it up for anything.”
