Occupation : She-taxi driver
“I come from Peruvannamuzhi about 50 kms from Kozhikode city. I am someone who has always lived in the countryside, so I do not know how to eloquently tell you about my new job. All I know is I have always enjoyed driving. Others at home are not as fascinated by driving as I am.
I took my license in 2004 and we got a Maruti 800 in 2008 and driving has been something I did always ever since.
After my graduation through a correspondence course, I worked in the front office of a hotel in Kuttiadi. I was also involved with the Kudumbasree. I remember seeing news items on the launch of She-taxis in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi and telling my family how nice it would be if it came to Kozhikode too.
For me it was a logical step to apply when I saw the newspaper advertisement inviting applications for the She-taxi initiative here. About 20 of us turned up for an interview at the Women’s Development Centre at Eranhipalam. We were given an overview of the initiative and later called for a driving test. We drove on the city roads and showcased our skill.
After selection, since I had five cents of land in my name, I applied for a loan at the WDC. My Swift Dzire with all the gadgets fitted in, including the Global Positioning System, came for around seven lakhs. I have to make a monthly payback of Rs. 10,700 on the loan.
As of now, four She-taxis are plying on Kozhikode roads. Two of us drive Dzire while the other two have opted for Ertiga. A fifth person might join us soon. After selection, we all went to Thiruvananthapuram for two days where we were given basic training in karate and were also familiarised with the working of the control room.
We all have standing points and mine is at West Hill. It is just about a week since we started working. The going is a bit slow. But I have had many enquiries. Some wanted to know what are the procedures involved in being a She-taxi driver. Others wanted to make advance booking for hospital or airport trips.
I was the last one among the four of us to get the first trip. I was on leave for a couple of days, so that too did not help. So, yes, I was bit tensed till I got my first trip. My mother would often call asking if I have got a ride. When it happened, it was a trip from Bilathikulam to Chelavur and it has eased my tension. The customer was friendly; so I am much more relaxed now.
We are supposed to stay put at our point till we get a call from the control room. The customer has to first call our control room and give the requisite details.
Every one at home has been very supportive. My husband is a porter near Kuttiadi.
My husband, mother and sister came for the launch of the taxi service. I met Manju Warrier and she wished me all the best. My mother was initially apprehensive about the job, but considering the safety measures in the car, I assume she is feeling better now.
It is difficult for me to drive back and forth from Pervannamuzhi every day. So I am thinking of finding an accommodation within the city. The four of us are constantly in touch and that is a great support. The job requires you to be independent and I am learning to be so. Seemingly simple things like going to a restaurant alone to have lunch was difficult for me. I would just postpone having lunch. But the other day, I just gathered myself, went and had my lunch.
I am hoping that with time, as more people come to know of the She-taxi, it will become an integral part of our city life.”
As told to P. ANIMA
A weekly column on the men and women who make Kozhikode what it is.
