Women cabbies blaze a trail in Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: The sight of women driving their personal cars in the city is no surprise to Sambit Mohanty, a commuter. But he was surprised to see a woman behind the wheel of a taxi he had hired online on Saturday. Not only Mohanty but also a number of other passengers too were amazed at the grit of Bimala Nayak, 33 and Gitanjali Rout, 36, for choosing commercial driving as vocation.
Bimala and Gitanjali, who are economically poor and stay with their families in Patharabandha slum here, have been employed as drivers by Society for Children (SOCH), a voluntary organisation. “We have launched an initiative where economically poor women can learn driving free of cost and get employment. On Saturday, Bimala and Gitanjali hit the roads as commercial drivers. They are driving our organisation’s car that has been linked with a taxi aggregator,” SOCH’s founder director Manoj Kumar Swain said.
Bimala and Gitanjali are working in two shifts between 6am and 10pm. They can transport male passengers as well. “Our taxi is equipped with CCTV cameras for our safety. Our office can locate us and see us during movement of the car,” said Bimala, whose husband Subal is also a driver.
Bimala said passengers looked at her with awe and appreciated her decision to choose commercial driving. “Mostly men drive cabs. But passengers (both male and female) were surprised to see me at the wheel. Initially, they were jittery about my driving skills. When they travelled in the car, they appreciated me,” Bimala, a mother of two girls and a boy, said. Gitanjali and Bimala said their family members supported them for the move. “I do not see any difference between men and women driving cabs. If women can drive personal cars, why cannot I drive a taxi?” asked Gitanjali, a mother of two sons.
Asked why they chose commercial driving and not any other trades, the two ladies said they loved driving. “I am happy that I can now support my family with my income,” Gitanjali said. Bimala echoed.
Women activists hailed the efforts of Bimala and Gitanjali. “We are proud to see that the two women have empowered themselves and set an example for others to follow. Female passengers too will feel safe and comfortable while being driven by a lady driver. It is good that the car has CCTV cameras as well,” said social activist Anuradha Mohanty.