KARWAR: When Sharada Gowda (54) started driving an autorickshaw in the small temple town of Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district, she created quite a stir. While the locals were surprised to see a woman driving an auto, neighbours told her ‘it was a man’s job’. But that did not swerve her from her mission. She is not doing it for money. What drove her to this job was auto drivers overcharging people or refusing to go to the destination they wanted.“For many years I was doing tailoring. I create traditional designs which are in great demand from foreign tourists. My son is well settled and I have no financial problems. I wanted to do something for the society and thought this could be the best way to do it.”
Sharada recalled how she and many others in her neighbourhood had faced issues with the auto drivers like overcharging. This prompted her to buy an autorickshaw and learn to drive. She took a small loan and bought a secondhand autorickshaw. The auto driver who sold the rickshaw taught her the basics of driving and later she got her driving licence.“I do not overcharge passengers or tourists. Many elderly passengers and women tourists have been happy riding in my auto,” she said.
Sharada hit the streets with her auto 10 months ago in Gokarna and surrounding areas. She is not your regular auto driver. She doesn’t park her vehicle at auto stands or go cruising around looking for passengers. She has given her phone number to neighbours and it has now reached many by word of mouth. She takes on passengers who call her on her mobile phone, otherwise she stays at home.
Did she face any trouble with passengers? “I am a woman and I can instinctively understand the behaviour of people. I never allow drunk passengers. Once a man engaged my auto. I realised he was drunk when he was about to get into my auto. I politely told him I will be back in a few minutes as I had to fill up petrol. I went to the nearest auto stand and sent another auto. I finish my duty by 7.30 pm.”
It was not a smooth journey for her. In the beginning, she had to endure public derision and scorn and also face opposition and hostility from male auto drivers. What has irked these drivers is that she runs her auto by the meter and does not overcharge, while they demand extra fare from passengers. However, there are some drivers who help her if she requires. Sharada lost her husband a few years ago. Her son and daughter live separately with their families and she lives in a house in Gokarna town.
Shivanand Gouda, gram panchayat member of Gokarna, said, “She has won a lot of appreciation. Elders and single women especially prefer her auto,” he said.Sharada has become a role model for many women in the town. Despite hurdles, she has managed to drive home her point. If you next visit Gokarna, do not forget to take a ride in Sharada’s auto. Call her on 9900514424.
A TEACHER
After hearing about Sharada’s zeal, the Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (women self-help group) of Gokarna has asked her to teach autorickshaw driving to other women. Already five women from Gokarna and surrounding villages have enrolled for training with her.