Kollkata: India's first woman truck driver, Yogita Raghuvanshi, says her colleagues must learn to prioritise their health and expenses, rather than involving themselves solely in their fight for wages and rights.
"If the wages of truck drivers are less, how do they manage to spend almost Rs50 (Dh2.71) in buying liquor pouches? Saving this amount, they can buy a home and fund their children's education; they must learn how to control the expenses," Yogita said on Thursday.
She was being felicitated here during the 'National Conclave on challenges and future of Indian Truck drivers' organised by a city-based social service organisation, Seva Kendra Calcutta.
The mother of two started driving a ten-wheeler multi-axle truck after her husband died in a road accident in 2003.
The Bhopal-based trailblazer says her determination makes her far sturdier than a man, and she advises truck drivers to look after their health. "Why don't they purchase six eggs instead of drinking? The health issue will be solved instantly if they take multivitamins on their own," Raghuvanshi raised the point from her 14 years' experience in the profession.
"A driver must think about the security and well-being before starting a family."
Raghuvanshi said: "For me, there were no challenges; I don't know the definition of 'difficult'. It is my profession and life is as easy as anybody else's and even if there is a breakdown it is a part of my business."
Her husband was an advocate and had a transport business with three trucks. Raghuvanshi, who was a housewife, never thought she would need to work. She hired a driver and a helper for the business after her husband passed away. However, driving the truck herself fetched her immediate income.
"I had done LLB but working as a junior lawyer, I did not get enough income. I knew dress designing. So I joined a boutique but the income was not enough to meet the education expense of my children," she said.
With no knowledge about driving, and terming the gear as a "rod", she began her journey on the road. She says all things can be learned gradually.
"A mother can do anything. So I have taken driving truck as my sole profession as it was profitable. I had taught my children to take care of their health and be independent," she said.
Raghuvanshi is undeterred by the hardships of being on the road; the long hours, the lack of bathing facilities, and the physical effort of loading and unloading the freight.
When asked about safety, she said: "I know a bit of Karate but never required it. It is not necessary to show off before the public that a woman is behind the wheels, and it's better to dress up like men which is also convenient for work."
