Categories: Culture

Chennai’s auto driver, Raji Ashok, never refuses women passengers; gives free rides to students and senior citizens

<p>
For the women and elderly commuters in Chennai, autorickshaw driver, P.V. Raji Ashok is the God sent angel. The reason being, Ashok, who is fondly called as Auto Akka (sister) never refuses women passengers, while offering free rides to the senior citizens.</p>
<p>
Speaking to Better India, she said: “Whether it is the middle of the night or an insufferably hot afternoon, I never refuse a ride to a woman. Even after my 8-9 hour shift has ended, I get many calls from women to go to Chennai airport, or from women working late shifts. I accept all the requests. My only condition is that they book the ride at least one hour in advance so I can schedule them.”</p>
<p>
<strong>Video:</strong></p>
<p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dlfNFtivKxg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>
Akka, who is 50-year-old, has been ferrying passengers safely for the last 23 years, working  9-hours a day, which many times gets extended, in case there are those who need urgent transport. She not only offers free rides to young kids, senior citizens but also those women who may not have the fare to pay. She doesn’t charge rides to the hospital in case of emergencies. Even in wee hours, she doesn’t hesitate to assist women, if they give her a head’s up of an hour.</p>
<p>
In a day she completes 30 trips or more and earns between Rs 30,000-40,000 a month.</p>
<p>
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Raji who is originally from Palakkad, Kerala, following her marriage to Ashok, an auto-driver, moved to Coimbatore, where she worked as an accountant. After the Coimbatore blasts in 1998, the two shifted to Chennai, where she was unable to get a job despite her degree and experience. “I could not find a job despite my qualifications and experience. After several failed interviews, I decided to start driving an auto for a living just like my husband,” she shared with the media.</p>
<p>
She feels that driving an auto is a good employment option for women as they can earn better than working as a domestic help. “I also give free auto driving lessons to women interested in joining this profession. This is a great occupation for women, and I want to encourage more ladies to drive autos professionally,” she said.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/culture-news/up-police-honours-bundelkhand-s-first-woman-auto-driver-135785.html">UP Police Honours Bundelkhand’s First Woman Auto Driver</a></strong></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

14 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

15 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

16 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

16 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

19 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

19 hours ago