Jhansi police facilitates first woman auto-rickshaw driver, assures safety

JHANSI: During the on-going road safety week, the Jhansi police, on Monday, publicly felicitated the sole woman auto driver of the city, Anita Choudhery, near the busy Elite crossing, assuring her complete safety and cooperation in future, sending message of woman empowerment and regular concern about their safety.
The initiative was taken by the DIG Jhansi range, Joginder Kumar, who, along with other officials, took a ride till Mahila Thana in her auto after the felicitation ceremony.During the ceremony, Anita was handed over with a memento by the DIG, while socialite Neeti Shastri gave a brief of the struggling life of Anita and her journey to become the first woman auto-driver of the city, from a housewife.
Anita broke down during the ceremony and answered all the questions from the media persons in a heavy voice, though boldly and frankly. Mother of three, Anita had to start working after her husband, an odd job worker stopped working few years ago. While staying at Talpura, she worked in various factories where she used to go on foot.
During covid pandemic, she also lost her job and was clueless about her future. Luck favoured and her brother-in- law taught her how to drive an auto rickshaw. She finally bought an auto in March this year through bank finance after getting her driving licence.
“It was a tough decision, but I had no other choice. I learnt driving in three days for which I used to go to highway early in the morning. I have to face regular challenges as I am into a male dominated job. But this does not deters me,” said Anita. She told TOI that she feels more confident now after getting such a warm appreciation from the police. As per her, she usually drives between 4-10am in morning to avoid unruly behaviour of her fellow drivers in the day time.
On the other hand, talking to TOI, DIG Joginder Kumar said, “Anita is a true example of woman empowerment. With today’s program, we have not only encouraged her, but also appeal to all those sisters who want to come forward and want to engage in any kind of job, that police is with them for any kind of assistance round the clock. We also want to make it clear to the anti-social elements not to create any kind of hurdles for them or else they will face strict consequences.”