Sathyavathi (name changed), like any typical homemaker, performs her regular chores, which includes preparing breakfast/lunch for her husband and two children. It’s from here that her routine takes a different turn as she dons a khaki overall and dutifully cleans her autorickshaw, before embarking on a search for hires across the temple city.
Sathyavathi is one among the 52 women autorickshaw drivers currently operating in areas such as Tirupati, Yerpedu and Puttur, who have opted to enter the profession dominated by men.
“The reasons for choosing this profession, besides the regular indoor activities such as tailoring, craftwork etc., are manifold. While driving an autorickshaw for livelihood is not something which we have dreamt of, we do it to support our families financially (with encouragement from husband and family members), develop necessary strength to face the vicissitudes of life and make up for husbands who are either unhealthy, dead or have abandoned their respective families and regularly abuse alcohol/drugs,” remarked Sathyavathi, while speaking to The Hindu .
This team of women autorickshaw drivers is an offshoot of ‘RASS Mahila Auto’, one of the women’s self-help groups (SHGs) envisaged by the Rashtriya Seva Samithi (RASS), Tirupati.
“For the past 25 years, women SHGs programme has been a regular feature at RASS. This time we floated the idea to train women in driving an autorickshaw and turn it into a profession subsequently. The response was good,” said project director V. Nagaraju.
“With financial support from the Bankers Institute of Rural and Entrepreneurship Development (BIRED), we have imparted training in both driving and computer skills. We approached the Andhra Bank for a loan and bank linkage. The first fleet of autorickshaws were handed over to seven women drivers on June 6,” he maintained.
Association formed
RASS training coordinator K. Ravi and training officer K. Nageshwar Naidu said they had grouped 52 women drivers into an association and trained them in soft skills (interacting with passengers).
“The impact created by greeting the customers with a simple ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Hello’ is immense. Once, a family boarded my vehicle at the central bus station to Tiruchanur. Though they were surprised to find a woman driver, my soft skills training (including helping them with their luggage) had them impressed,” recollected Varalakshmi, another driver.
Auto stands
While some women drivers have an agreement to ferry schoolchildren and employees, others have been finding it difficult to locate a place for themselves.
“Men drive us away from the auto stands and accuse us of stealing their jobs. Hence, we have requested the authorities to set up dedicated auto stands at government hospitals, transit points and other places, as it would help women drivers to work without any interference. Besides, the stigma and gender bias associated with women opting for such professions should go,” they asserted.
