City’s women auto drivers fight odds to make a living

By M.T. Yogesh Kumar

Traditional auto-rickshaws have always remained heavily male-dominated. Of late, there are many women who have shattered the stereotypes and have been performing the duties of auto drivers, sometimes even better than their male counterparts.

Though they face plenty of gender bias and discrimination on roads, their spirit is undeter-red and they have crossed all hurdles to complete more than 10 years of service in Mysuru. After years of struggle, auto-driving has become a way of life for them and are fighting odds to make a living.

Star of Mysore spoke to three women auto drivers who continue to do their work with their heads held high…

Drove auto for education

Soumya, a resident of Hebbal, is a diploma holder in Communication and Jou-rnalism. She took to the profession of auto driving to fund her College education and completed the same with grit. After her degree, she continued the profession. Now she is married and settled but has not given up yet, balancing her professional and family life.

“I used to visually learn how to drive an auto when I was four years old with my dad and I have been driving for the last 15 years. I have gained the love and trust of people in Hebbal and surrounding areas and will continue to serve them. I was a little dull in my studies and my parents did not want me to continue studies beyond 10th standard. But I was determined to enter College and I earned money after driving auto,” Soumya recalls.

She completed her PUC and diploma while driving auto during free time and holidays. “Even after marriage I wanted to lead an independent life. After my son was born, I was back on the roads riding auto. Now he is seven years old. I have driven the auto for 24 hours and never shied away from driving late night or wee hour trips,” Soumya says.

Tailoring was first choice

Masthamma alias Mary, a resident of Manti near Belavatta, has been driving auto for over 22 years. She is among senior drivers in Mysuru who have been efficiently discharging their duties. She took to this profession when she was 32 years old.

“Tailoring was my first choice and I was doing it along with embroidery. My elder brother and sister’s husband were auto drivers and my mother was a member of ODP (Organisation for the Development of People) in Bannimantap. Later, ODP called for applications from women to distribute free autos. Of the 22 applicants, there was me and my sister. There was a condition that once the autos were distributed, it had to be driven by women and if any man drove it, the vehicle would be seized,” she recalls.

“My sister stepped back while I chose the profession and was trained by my father Cheluvaraju. After some initial glitches, I continued,” Masthamma says. She earned Rs. 70 on the first day while she earned Rs. 130 on the second day.

“On the first day, I was waiting for passengers near K.R. Hospital. A lady and her daughter came there and asked whether I could drop them to Court. I agreed and asked them the way to Court. The lady questioned me strangely as I did not know the route. When I told them it was my first day, they felt happy. Actually, it was the first day at Court for the lady’s daughter too. After the drop, the lady encouraged me and told me to never give up. This boosted my confidence and I did not look back,” Masthamma recalls.

Masthamma got her daughter married, a son and another daughter educated with the income gained by auto driving. “I have led a good life and my rickshaw has been treating me like a queen, fulfilling all my needs. For a change, I have not faced any harassment or insults from male drivers. Rather they were very helpful,” she adds.

Did not like it first but loved it later

Veena, a resident of Tilaknagar, has been driving an auto for 19 years. She came to the profession accidentally. “I did not like it initially but adjusted to it and later loved the profession. Now my entire life revolves around my auto,” she says.

“My husband left me as I had two girl children and my brother and brother-in-law were auto drivers and my mother ran a small fast food joint near Metropole Circle. When my brother-in-law died, I took his auto and learnt it. But the very first day, my auto turned turtle,” she recalls.

Veena was driving the auto at great speed on day one. “To avoid colliding against a parked bus on Chamaraja Double Road, I turned suddenly and my auto turned turtle. I had a woman passenger and her child behind and fortunately, nothing happened for them while I sustained injuries on my knees,” she recalls. “No one has misbehaved with me till now and I am happy driving an auto. My colleagues have been cooperative and I did not have any unpleasant experience with any passengers. This profession has taught me the grit to take life as a challenge and my auto has been taking me along the ups and downs,” she concludes.