Raichur :

A revolutionary path for women laid by former chief secretary of Karnataka K Ratna Prabha has made this Raichur woman battle against all odds. In 1992, during her stint as deputy commissioner of the district, Prabha made arrangements for women to get trained in driving autorickshaws. Now, after 26 years, one woman stands out, braving the societal patriarchy and alcohol abuse of her husband.

Nirmala, a poor woman from a backward community, bought a plot by saving money from profits she earned by driving an auto through the city roads. Recalling those “difficult” days, Nirmala said, “Former Deputy Commissioner Ratna Prabha provided us autos under a government scheme. The government paid Rs 6,000 as down-payment for the auto, while a loan of Rs 34,000 was granted from a bank.”

Fight against odds,sexual predators

Nirmala told TNIE that 11 women were given autos. However, she is the only one in the profession now. “Other women could not sustain their fight against patriarchy, due to which, they had let their men drive the autos,” she said.

Nirmala said after three years of driving, she got married. “My husband also drove an auto. To my shock, I realised later that he was an alcoholic. We had no money for our daily expenses. He stopped driving for some time and started to work as a lorry cleaner,” she said.

Nirmala lamented that her husband also started to object to her decision. Braving this, she stood strong and continued to drive. “I also faced sexual harassment, with male customers touching me inappropriately. I, also, effectively resisted them. Now, I earn a status on par with men,” she said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Shreyas H S, Express News Service / October 22nd, 2018