Ranjeet Kour, a resident of Kunjwani in the Jammu district, believed to be the first woman auto-rickshaw driver in her area, has become an inspiration for many and is seen as a respectable figure wherever she goes.
Kour said when nothing seemed to be helping her family, she one day decided to work shoulder to shoulder with her husband, as an auto-rickshaw driver.
She said though it was difficult to convince him (husband) at the initial stage, but once he agreed, I without wasting time joined the Umeed group, from where I got financial help for e-rickshaw.
Kour said there is no shame in choosing any work. “When I am satisfied with this work and am able to help my family in a very good way, then why should I care about the taunts or criticism by people. I believe no work is less than your God; once you treat it as worship,” she said.
Kour said she is now getting praises across the board wherever she goes even by those who once used to criticize her. “Passengers are even more impressed with my courage now.”
“We all have our dreams and if we are passionate about them, we will definitely achieve success”, Kour says adding “However, along with all our hard work, a little help from others can just be the thing which one needs to fulfill his/her dreams and I am very thankful to the Umeed scheme because of which I am able to see happiness in my home.”
Kour said that she earns between Rs. 1500 and 2000 on a day-to-day basis besides that she is now getting special bookings in the area.
“I would like to ask the women to come out of their homes and work to empower themselves for there is absolutely nothing that women cannot achieve,” Kour said. (GNS)
