Mysuru: Rotary Mysore Metro, in association with Taliru Foundation and Automotive Axles, launched the transformative ‘Pink Auto’ project at Urs Gymkhana in city recently.

The joint initiative distributed 10 autorickshaws to women beneficiaries, offering a pathway away from poverty, abuse and systemic hardship toward financial self-reliance.

“The project seeks to uplift women by providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities and self-respect,” said Mohan Gurumurthy, Project Chairman of the Pink Auto initiative and member of Rotary Metro.

Project overview & impact: True freedom (azadi) means liberation from poverty and struggle. Despite 80 years of Independence, many individuals still fight daily for basic necessities and face domestic abuse. The Pink Auto project aims to change this narrative by empowering women to become self-sustaining family providers.

Comprehensive support: The initiative handles the entire empowerment lifecycle — identifying deserving candidates through thorough background checks, providing driving training, securing driving licenses and assisting with vehicle ownership.

Financial model: Sponsoring organisations cover the down payment, while the remaining balance is arranged through loans from nationalised banks or auto-finance partners.

Leadership voices & dignitaries: Highlighting the core mission of the project, Dr.Chitra of Taliru Foundation stated that the primary objective is to equip women with skills and assets needed to achieve financial independence and live with dignity. The autos were formally handed over by Rtn. Satish Bolar, Rtn. R. Guru, Asha Bhargavi and Rtn. Ramaki from Rotary District 3181, along with Vinayak and Debdas Pandey from Automotive Axles Pvt. Ltd.