Today I am learning a new skill, I am driving a car, I am improving as a driver, my father would have been happy seeing me progressing towards my goal.

The story of Jyotsna Sardar, a young woman in her twenties, is a story of struggle and hardship. Utterly neglected during her childhood Jyotsna says, “I grew up in extreme poverty, devoid of proper food and clothing.” Her family had nothing to eat, she used to pluck edible leaves and her mother used to boil them in salt and water and feed her. In this situation it was impossible for her to finish education and she dropped out from school after clearing class VIII. Jyotsna’s father was alcoholic and wasted money on his addiction, neglecting the need of the household. Jyotsna feels bad for her father. In her words, “Later on my father realised what he did, but by then it was too late, he died.”

At present Jyotsna lives with her mother, who works as an Ayah, in a rented accommodation at Niranjan Pally, near Rajarhat in Kolkata. Husband of Jyotsna’s cousin supports her decision to become a professional driver. According to him the training she is receiving at Azad Foundation will help her become empowered. Jyotsna says: “What a man can do a woman can do equally well.”

Jyotsna is an enthusiastic young woman. She has the experience of working in a mobile-battery factory, nursing and also knows agricultural work. She could have chosen a different profession but to her driving is the way towards empowerment and freedom. Freedom from the painful memories of her poverty stricken helpless childhood. Freedom from uncertainty and freedom from misery. For Jyotsna, Azad Foundation is the symbol of freedom and mobility; she believes that mobility increases options and as a consequence bargaining power increases. Jyotsna said, “I will only marry the man who will accept me and my profession.”

She loved the holistic training at Azad Foundation. “Apart from motor driving and associated skills, we are also taught map reading, first aid, self defence, communication skills, confidence building skills.” She particularly liked gender sensitization training that as she says has increased her self-confidence, made her aware of her body, her rights, how to recognize early signs of violation and encroachment and how to ward off danger by being firm, yet polite and decisive.

Jyotsna has learnt driving very well. However, it was discovered that she was not being able to follow instructions from her trainer due to a hearing problem. Azad facilitated an ENT consultation that revealed that her hearing problem required surgery. The money needed for the operation was arranged through Azad’s Social Security Loan scheme. The operation was successful and Jyotsna can hear well now.

Her association with Azad Foundation has given Jyotsna hope and reasons to dream for a better tomorrow. “I want to earn as a professional driver. I dream of taking my mother for a ride in my car and showing her the city. I want to buy a plot of land, build a house of our own. I don’t know whether I will be able to fulfil my dreams. Azad Foundation has given me the platform to dream for myself, to become confident and self-reliant. I might not be educated, but I am emancipated, Azad has taught me to live life with my head held high.”

Jyotsna is presently employed with Medica Superspecialty Hospital where she is working as Valet driver.