Women getting behind the wheel and professionally pursuing their passion for driving are a small but growing group in India. However, two women from Karnataka have taken an unusual route to this distinction, taking the driver’s seat in government buses instead of racing cars and the like.
29-year-old Ameenamma Nadaf and 38-year-old Veenavathamma have achieved a unique distinction, becoming the KSRTC’s first ever women drivers. Out of a total of 13,320 applications this year, 44 were from women, of which Ameena and Veena are the only two selected. While KSRTC has been employing women staff members for a few years now, they have previously been recruited only as conductors.
A 38-year-old graduate previously employed in a private firm, Veenavathamma hails from Chintamani, Chikkaballapur district, and has harboured a passion for heavy vehicles since childhood. Supported by her parents, she applied for the driver’s position at KSRTC. With her proficiency at driving multi-axle vehicles and even lorries Veenavathamma taught her brother driving as well. He is now a lorry driver. Veenavathamma is currently undergoing training at the KSRTC Principal Central Training Institute, Bengaluru.
Ameenamma is a native of Ingaleshwar village, Vijayapura district. While Ameenamma learned to drive at a young age, she decided to pursue her interest in driving buses by enrolling herself with a private operator in Hubli. Once she mastered the skill of handling buses, encouraged by her husband and family, Ameenamma took a shot at a job with KSRTC. Having recently given birth to a child, Ameenamma is currently on maternity leave.