KOCHI: Years ago, when Smitha received an advise memo from the Kerala Public Service Commission about being selected for a clerical post in the Motor Vehicles Department, she was a bit bewildered as she had no idea about the functioning of the department. But 10 years down the line, when she climbed up the ladder and became the first woman motor vehicle inspector in the district she says that the presence of women has brought about many positive changes in the department.
“I think, the behaviour of the men staff has changed and they have stopped using rude tones and as there are women in their midst and try to follow etiquette when it comes to language and deeds. I consider it a sea change.”
Smitha Jose C is the first woman Motor Vehicle inspector in the Malabar region and second in the state. Smitha believes that it was her passion for the khaki uniform which landed her the job. “I loved khaki uniforms for I was always in awe of Kiran Bedi and Sreelekha. It might have indirectly led me to this post,” she said.
Smitha became an MVI by way of transfer. “The proportion is 4:1. If the PSC can appoint four people, the department can recommend an eligible candidate to the post,” she points out. To equip herself for the job, she did a diploma training course at Polytechnic in Kalamassery. For hands-on training in a workshop, she took leave for one year. She reminisces that many men colleagues did not encourage her to join the department.
“They had first hand experience and the job was tough so they were sincerely trying to prevent me from joining it. But my eyes were set on higher prospects. And after four years, I do not regret the decision,” he says. She says that she did not confront any rude behaviour from the public. “Maybe because the women are not as cheeky as men,” she said.
One could easily lose his or her patience and composure in a nerve-wracking job as this. But Smitha has kept her sense of humour intact. “I may sound a bit far-fetched. But it’s true that I nab women mostly for not wearing helmets and specifically on Sundays. Without any resistance, they would hand over a fine of `100 and say, ‘This is the only day when we can dress up and go to church. We do not want to spoil that one day and spoil our hairstyles by wearing a helmet’. Now, what could you say to such people?” she asks.
What saddens her most is the non-adherence of traffic rules by the youth. “In the pre-licence session the repercussions of not complying with the law are pointed out. Just after one or two months after getting the licence, the same people come to us for breaking the law,” she said.