rajani-work

15 September 2020

You must have heard about ‘Kudumbashree’ – the poverty eradication and women empowerment programme of Government of Kerala. I drive a taxi under the ‘Kundumbashree Travels’ project which enables women to work as taxi-drivers. I am Seema, now 45 years old. I stay at Neeramankara in Thiruvananthapuram, with my husband and two daughters.

My day starts around 6 am when I make some black tea and start my cooking for the day. I prepare breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is idli, dosa or puttu and lunch is rice with curries. Non-veg? – sometimes. My husband is an auto-rickshaw driver and he leaves home by 7.30am, taking his breakfast in a box with him. My own routine is different every day, depending on the time schedule of my trips. If a client has requested for an early ride, then I too leave home early, taking my food with me.

Did I ever think I would become a driver? Not at all. I was born in this same place, the eldest of five children. I have three brothers and one sister. My father initially worked in the field of construction and later in a press, and mother did not go out to work. We were not financially well-off and I could not afford to continue my studies beyond standard 10. I started working as a house-maid. Then I got married at age 20 – a love marriage and an inter-caste one at that. Our families were not for it, and we had to settle for a registered marriage with no other ceremonies. My husband is from the same neighborhood and I had known him from childhood. Now we have completed 25 years of life together – yes, quite happily married.

I could associate with Kudumbashree from the very beginning when it was started in 1998. Initially four of us in the ayalkoottam (neighbourhood group of women) joined together, obtained a small loan and started a business of making and selling idli batter, chilli powder, pickles and different snacks. We used to take our products from house to house and sell. We managed to repay our loans and even made small profits. As soon as one loan got finished, we would take another. In between, in 2009 I learned to drive and took license for both autos and cars. In hindsight, that really changed my life. I managed to get hold of a second-hand auto and drove it for six or seven months. But then I left it – somehow I didn’t feel safe enough in that job.

In 2013, when Kudumbashree announced its taxi project whereby loans were provided without collateral to selected women to buy cars, I was among the first to apply. There was a selection process and the initial more than 100 applicants were tailored down to 20 and I found myself among the final selected eight! I was given a subsidy to buy my first car – a Nano. Thus started my new life behind the wheel. I did face some difficulty initially but it lasted only for a couple of days. Now I am confident I can handle any situation related to driving. In three years I could close that loan and bought a Desire with the next loan. That is what I drive now. I still have around 4 Lakhs rupees left to pay back.

I go for trips depending on clients’ requests. I do not shy away from night trips and work on Sundays too, if required. Many are regular customers. In addition, I may have to go for Kudumbashree’s work-related trips. Airport trips are also there, though not every day.

Depending on the time I reach back home, I may be able to lie down a bit before getting into my cleaning and cooking chores again. Either my husband or I get provisions on our respective ways home, as per need. I like to watch TV for some time in the evening – serials, news and so on. By 10.30 it is bedtime after dinner.

We live in a small house constructed in a two and half-cent plot which my husband obtained from his parents. We used to go out when the kids were small – places like Sanghumukham beach which they loved. Nowadays it is mostly only to family functions or to visit extended family members. By the way, both our families have no issues with our marriage any longer and are close to us. I frequently go and see my mother who stays at Thiruvallom, 3km away.

To our great joy, both our daughters turned out to be good at studies. They have grown up seeing how difficult life can be. Now my elder daughter is doing her fourth year MBBS course at Palakkad Medical College and younger one is in first year BDS in Kunnamkulam Dental College. I am happy to tell you that both had got admission in merit seats.

Yes, the COVID situation has really affected us. Who needs taxis when people are locked-down inside houses?

What do I hope for in the future? That my daughters are able to live well. That we should not have to depend on anyone. Nothing else. Let things go on as they are presently.

Prepared By: Jaya G Nair