At 26, when Rashmi drove the first VIP trial run of Namma Metro Purple Line in October 2011, she didn’t foresee being in the same job five years later as the mother of a noisy three year old.
Today, as station controller-cum-train operator for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., she manages the entire operation of Trinity Circle Metro Station. “Initially, commuters were very excited to see a woman train operator; they would come close to take selfies with me,” she says.
Rashmi worked as a train operator till 2013, after which she was assigned the duties of a station controller. If the train stops midway and the operator is unable to drive the train, it is her job to take the train to its destination.
She admits that she would not have been able to continue her work (she worked till her eighth month of pregnancy and joined back six months after her delivery) without support from her family.
“My husband, an engineer, worked shifts alternating with mine so that someone could be with the baby at all times. My parents and my mother-in-law would travel from Hassan to Bengaluru to look after the home while I was on duty.”
During her pregnancy, BMRCL also supported her by giving her duties that would not affect her health.
Three-year-old Rachith has adjusted to his mother’s schedule and is very supportive of her work. “He tells me that he will come pick me up after my 9 p.m. shift,” she beams.
On Mother’s Day, meet this mother who raised her two children on the income she earned by driving an autorickshaw, and is now raising her grandson too.
Shantham Ramaiah (58) has been driving autorickshaws since 1992 after being trained by an NGO that offered her a vehicle to drive. She drove till 2000 after which she gave up the autorickshaw because of maintenance issues. More than a decade later, she tried to convince someone to give her an autorickshaw, with little success.
Finally, she was able to secure a bank loan to buy an auto, which she has been driving for a year-and-a-half now.
Tough past, hopeful future
Shantham’s story is one of hardship and grit. Her daughter died after abuse at the hands of in-laws, and she now looks after her grandson who is in class 6. She also has a grown-up son.
She drives from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on most days. “After that, I have to pick up my grandson from school. He is very proud of his grandmother, but keeps telling me to reduce my driving speed,” she chuckles.
