Mother of 2 girls from Bhagalpur drives school van to support family

BHAGALPUR: If anyone thinks women from low-income group can do menial or household jobs only, here is the 30-year-old Priyanka Kumari from Bhagalpur, who is not only earning handsome amount by driving a private school van but also guiding her two daughters in studies besides preparing for her competitive examinations to become a government officer.
Priyanka from Godda district in Jharkhand got married to Kishore Kumar Shah of Mirjanhat locality in Bhagalpur city in 2012.Initially everything was hunky-dory but after the birth of two daughters, the couple felt the heat of financial scarcity and insecurity. Kishore, who worked as a private school van driver besides doing odd jobs in order to support his family, becale jobless due to the lockdown during the Covid-19 period.
Scarcity forced Priyanka to think about her own income and she asked her husband to teach her driving so that when the schools reopen for offline classes she could transport the children from their homes and back.
After the schools reopened, both Priyanka and Kishore started driving vans of the school in the morning and afternoon. Now, the couple earns good money.
When asked about her journey so far, Priyanka said: "Initially, it appeared awkward as I had broken into male bastion. People used to look down on their family and they had to bear the unpalatable remarks too or mocking expressions at times. However, I could not see my husband struggling alone. Thus, I chose to support the family and I am very happy with my decision."
She added: "I get up around 4am to do household work and prepare lunch box for my children besides taking care of their studies and home tasks before embarking on my daily duty."
Priyanka did her graduation after my marriage from B N College under Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) and pursue for competitive examinations. "I want to become a government officer. I prepare for competitive exams till midnight each day," she said.