If you are a woman in Chennai and are worried to travel by public transport then fret not, Auto Akka hai na!
Ruling the roads of the city and thriving in a profession dominated by men, P.V. Raji Ashok, an autorickshaw driver from Chennai, is here to ferry women across the city be it any time of the day or even midnight.
Keeping in mind the safety of female passengers, Akka took on driving a rickshaw 23-years-ago. The 50-year-old lady never denies any female passenger and with just an hour’s notice, she comes rushing to assist women even in the wee hours.
Raji, who has a bachelor’s degree, migrated from Kerala to Tamil Nadu with her husband, who is also an auto driver. Unable to procure a job with her degree, she decided to drive an auto to support her family.
Raji thinks we need to teach women how to drive for free “because many uneducated women work as housemaids for a meager salary, while an auto driver earns Rs 15,000 to 20,000 per month,” she said.
As of now, over 10,000 women have safely traveled in her auto. She also provides free driving coaching to those interested. She even gives children and senior citizens free rides, reported India Today.
She is truly a woman of substance. Salute!