Namakkal gets first lady government bus conductor

NAMAKKAL: The passengers of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus no 52, which plies on Salem-Rasipuram route, were surprised earlier this month when a lady conductor approached them for tickets. For, Namakkal district never had a lady government bus conductor earlier.
Salem division of TNSTC hired K Ilayarani, 34, wife of Kumar of Rasipuram in Namakkal district, for the post of the bus conductor more than a month ago.“I was the only woman candidate in my batch of 10 new appointees. After a month-long basic training, I began my job with TNSTC bus no 52 on Salem-Rasipuram route on June 1,” she told TOI. Ilayarani said her father Muniappan was a ticket checking officer with the Salem division of TNSTC. “He succumbed to his ailments in 2010 before his retirement. After his demise, we applied for a job for any of the family members under the compassionate grounds. Later, my younger brother Ilayaraja requested me to take up the job.”
She said her husband Kumar, who is working with a private college, also encouraged her to take up the conductor’s job.“TNSTC officials initially explained about the job-related challenges. My duty begins at 5am and concludes at 10pm daily,” Ilayarani said.