PALAKKAD: Next time you visit Attappadi, do not be surprised if you come across an Adivasi woman behind the wheels of a four-wheel drive. Call it empowerment in motion. Driven by passion, tribal women are coming forward to learn driving and obtain licences in a bid to explore new career vistas.Vijaya is one such woman hailing from the remote Thanichuvudu hamlet in Chindakki. She never imagined in her wildest dreams she would wield the steering wheel one day and secure a licence.
A member of tribal youth organisation Unarvu and the Adivasi Kudumbashree constituted under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), she did not think twice when the Forest Department offered them a three-month-long driving course with the help of a private school in Mannarkad. “Now I have secured a licence and I will use it when necessary,” she told Express, brimming with confidence.
“We were interested in taking up the job of drivers. The Forest Department has agreed to employ one woman driver. We are consulting among ourselves and plan to submit the application. Though we have a licence, we need to gain experience,” said Pushpa, a member - along with Vidya - of the Deepam Ayalkootam of the NRLM hailing from Thanichuvudu.
“Last time, 50 Adivasi youths - including women - registered for the three-month course,” said Narendranath Velloori, Wildlife Warden of the Silent Valley National Park. “Finally, 29 underwent the test. All of them secured a licence of which 12 were women. The department has offered a job to one woman and they have stated they will consult among themselves and get back.” According to the officer, the second batch of 50 Adivasis has also registered and the driving classes will begin after Onam.
“The Adivasi women living in interior hamlets are interested in taking up the driving profession if they are assured of safety,” said Unarvu coordinator K Sunil who has also passed the test. “Though there were 12 Adivasi women in the first batch, the second batch has only three. Once some of them begin working, more women will come forward. The three-month training was arranged at the Model Residential School grounds in Mukkali. The learners’ test was conducted in Mannarkad. However, the final test was held in Attappadi itself as the MVD inspectors came here.”
Hailing from the Mele Thudukki hamlet, Sunil said women from Aanavaayi hamlet, which remained inaccessible until recently, too were part of the scheme. “Most of these women, like Usha, Mini, Sindhu and Sulochana among others, did not even know to ride bicycles. Now they have secured both two-wheeler and four-wheeler licences.” he said.“Earlier, we used to hang on to four-wheel drives while travelling to Agali town from far-flung hamlets. The vehicles used to tilt dangerously to both sides during the journey. But we can drive these vehicles now.”