Kiran is from Jahangirpuri in North Delhi and works as a private chauffeur in Moolchand. She studied only up to grade 8. She is separated from her husband as she was treated badly by him and her in-laws. She got severely physically and mentally ill while being pregnant, however she was denied treatment and her husband and his parents used to tie her up and did not take care of her. After her son was born, her mum visited her and seeing the condition Kiran was in, she brought her home and got her treated. Since then Kiran has not seen her husband, nor her son.

Prior to joining Azad’s Women on Wheels programme, Kiran used to work as a domestic worker. She learnt about the programme through a street play in her community, and decided to join after speaking to Azad’s mobiliser Anita.

‘When I started training, a lot of my neighbours used to ridicule me, saying that I could never become a driver. They even questioned my mother about where I was going, telling her that what I was doing was suspicious. However, my family supported me and I also used to share my problems with Azad Faculty team who inspired me a lot. They told me that nobody is a born driver and that with practice and determination, I would certainly be able to achieve everything I wanted. I could do something and be someone.

In fact, I had never really gone out alone before joining Women on Wheels. I had no knowledge of roads, bus routes and had difficulty in finding my way in the city. My faculty encouraged me to keep going and today I am a different person. I go everywhere confidently and can travel the world on my own if I want to. And, the neighbours who used to say nasty things also treat us with respect now.

Although I was working even before Azad, this life is very different from the life of a domestic worker. This job helps me to interact with the world outside. I can move around, go to new places, get to know different kinds of things. From a situation where I was too naïve and scared to talk to anybody, I have become so confident that I can speak with anyone, meet anyone, go anywhere. Being a driver gives me a different sense of pride.

Earlier, I used to earn about Rs. 4500 and now I earn around Rs. 9500 – more than twice the earlier amount, so my family is in a much better economic situation. I am really satisfied with my job and my employer appreciates me.

My dream is to get a commercial license and join Sakha Cabs for Women service. I hope to be able to buy a small plot of land one day, and build a house for my parents.’

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