x

Like our Facebook Page

   
Early Times Newspaper Jammu, Leading Newspaper Jammu
 
Breaking News :   Omar’ announcement of five Marlas land to landless is welcome step: Gupta | Vishwa Yog Sansthaan conducts morning yoga, plantation drive & relief distribution | CM inaugurates Rs 35.67 crore water supply schemes in Tangmarg | Explore innovative , practical solar energy solutions for JK:- Satish Sharma | DyCM visits NIFT Budgam, reviews ongoing developmental works | Gold prices drops Rs 600 to Rs 1,13,200/10 G as fed's cautious stance strengthens Dollar | CS seeks guidance of NITI Aayog on Tele-ICU setup in new GMCs | Babila Rakwal reviews functioning of FPOs across J&K | DC distributes 52 sanction letters to promote youth entrepreneurship | PM Modi's policies reshaping India into a 'Mother-led Democracy': Purnima Sharma | All exams to be held on time in J&K: Sakina Itoo | JKBOSE, JKACS jointly organise UT level quiz competition on HIV/AIDS | Team KPBB - Serving Humanity, Serving Hope for flood-affected families | Hindi Fortnight inaugurated with grand ceremony at Central University of Jammu | NFR takes up eco-friendly drive under Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 | Inter-state drug supplie arrested with 7 kg Ganja in Domana | GST reforms are Prime Minister Modi's Diwali gift to the nation: CM Yogi | Director TBMS Parwez S Kaul, Retd Justice Muzaffar Jan visit DPS Srinagar | Projects worth over Rs 5 lakh crore to be launched in November with GBC@5: Chief Minister | Hardcore criminal booked under PSA by Samba police | Setback for Cong as LBA asserts authority, Thupstan returns to lead LBA | Controversy erupts over crowdfunding campaign in Mehraj Malik’s Name | Bar president distances himself from Mehraj’s legal team | LG Sinha to inaugurate national seminar on’ Bhartiya Bhashaon Mein Ekaatmata ' today | District-level panels constituted | CM Omar Inaugurates Convention Centre in Gulmarg | Vaishnodevi Yatra resumes after brief halt, registration begins | PM Modi speaks to Nepal PM Karki, supports efforts to restore peace | Court denies bail to ex-president LoC Traders Association in Hizbul funding case | Pahalgam tourist killings case: NIA court extends remand of 2 accused | MLA Inderwal calls on Omar, lists demands | Best out of Waste competition held at GCW Udhampur | India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) Mechanism: Balancing Farmer Welfare, Market Dynamics, and Sustainable Agriculture | Indian Hearts in Peril: A Silent Epidemic | Balancing Legality With Humanity | GDC R S Pura organizes donation drive under Sewa Pakhwada | Red Ribbon Club volunteers visit Home for Aged, Infirm | Campaign for Saturation of Fl Schemes at Gram Panchayat level in all districts | Parveen Pargal appointed All India Executive Member of Laghu Udyog Bharati from J&K | NCC, NSS Units of GDC Kathua conducted donation activity under Seva Parv | Anantnag police seize land in major narco-terror crackdown | Owais Ali Bhat foundation J&K divisions helping flood effected people | RED DROP in collaboration with F&ES, LD hospital organizes blood donation | Celebration of Seva Parv at GDC Majalta | SPPND GDC Samba organizes donation drive to celebrate Sewa Parv | Nukkad Natak show on drugs abuse organize by Billawar police | Jammu police arrest absconder in Akhnoor | MLA Bahu Ch Vikram Randhawa kickstarts lane, drain work in Ward No. 21 | Police booked notorious drug Kingpin under PIT NDPS Act | Back Issues  
 
news details
Mother of two breaks stereotype to become first female e-rickshaw driver in Chenab Valley
12/6/2023 11:11:23 PM
Early Times Report

BHADERWAH, Dec 6: The world turned upside down for 39-year-old Meenakshi Devi, a mother of two, almost a year ago after her husband was diagnosed with renal failure and put on weekly dialysis, forcing the family to wrap up their business and sell their car to clear the debt.
But instead of being overwhelmed by penury, she decided to tread the hard road of driving an e-rickshaw despite being discouraged by her relatives, neighbours and also the auto-rickshaw association. Her husband too was initially apprehensive about her taking up driving an e-rickshaw. Despite all odds, she became the first female e-rickshaw driver in the Chenab Valley and in the process an inspiration for the village women of the region aspiring to make a living for themselves and their families.
“I remember the day four months ago when I first entered the auto stand at Seri Bazar in Bhaderwah with my e-rickshaw. Not only the passersby, but my male counterparts also looked at me as if I was an alien among them,” Devi said.
Some rickshaw drivers even suggested she return home as they did not want to their customers risk their lives.
“Unfazed by the negativity, I was steadfast in my resolve and slowly gained confidence. I now earn Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 per day,” Devi said. “Today one can hardly find me at the auto stand as I am busy ferrying my loyal customers, especially ladies, throughout the day.”
She asserted that women prefer to ride with her rather than male drivers.
A year ago she was leading a happy life with her husband and two children in Bhaderwah town of Doda district when her husband was diagnosed with severe renal failure. “Very soon we landed up in piles of debt due to escalating medical bills,” she said. As debts kept mounting and all their savings got exhausted, the family sold their car and wrapped their business to clear their debt. Devi said she explored many options to earn a living till she learned that e-rickshaws were available for purchase at subsidised rates. Before long, the couple bought a three-wheeler on EMI and her husband Pammi Sharma it upon himself to teach her to drive the vehicle. “I feel happy that my hard work has helped in paying the medical bills of my husband and fulfilling the requirements of my minor sons, one of whom is recently enrolled in a private school,” Devi said with a sense of satisfaction. Her husband said he was not confident that Devi could drive an e-rickshaw in the busy market areas of Bhadarwah town. “But we were left with no other option but to give it a try for the sake of survival of the family.”
“Today, I am not only satisfied but also proud of her,” he said. “Due to the ever-increasing burden of medical bills, I went into depression as I kept worrying about the future of our children. I do not know what the future has in store for me as my both kidneys are not functioning but my wife made me feel at peace now,” he said.
President of the auto-rickshaw association Mohisin Ganai said Devi is an inspiration for other women who aspire to make a living for themselves and their households. “We salute her courage and support her fully.”
“At first, we did not approve of the idea of a woman joining the ranks of 236 men who drive auto-rickshaws in the town. We were apprehensive about her driving skills. But within no time, she proved her mettle and today she is the busiest auto driver in the town,” he said.
  Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network  
  Comment on this Story  
 
 
 
Early Times Android App
STOCK UPDATE
  
BSE Sensex
NSE Nifty
 
CRICKET UPDATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Home About Us Top Stories Local News National News Sports News Opinion Editorial ET Cetra Advertise with Us ET E-paper
 
 
J&K RELATED WEBSITES
J&K Govt. Official website
Jammu Kashmir Tourism
JKTDC
Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board
Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board
UTILITY
Train Enquiry
IRCTC
Matavaishnodevi
BSNL
Jammu Kashmir Bank
State Bank of India
PUBLIC INTEREST
Passport Department
Income Tax Department
JK CAMPA
JK GAD
IT Education
Web Site Design Services
EDUCATION
Jammu University
Jammu University Results
JKBOSE
Kashmir University
IGNOU Jammu Center
SMVDU