Meet the Trailblazing Mother Driving Change in Nabarangpur

A Unique Journey of a Determined Mother

By Manoj Kumar Jena

Nabarangpur: In the secluded village of Junapani, located in the Chandahandi block of Nabarangpur district, children enjoy a delightful commute to school each morning in a battery-operated auto-rickshaw. The driver, Laxmi Sinha, ensures they feel as cared for as they would by their mothers at home.

Laxmi, a mother herself, relies on the fare she collects from parents to support her household and provide for her six-year-old daughter. "Being a mother allows me to understand children's needs and emotions," shares Laxmi, who is in her early thirties.

When she isn't transporting children, Laxmi operates a small stall, which supplements her income and helps her plan for her and her daughter's future.

Having faced significant challenges since childhood, Laxmi had to leave school after completing her matriculation due to financial struggles. In 2015, her parents arranged her marriage, hoping it would improve her circumstances, but life had different plans.

After experiencing difficulties in her marriage, Laxmi returned to her parents' home with her two-year-old daughter. As the only child, she felt it was her responsibility to care for her ailing parents and her daughter while managing household expenses.

Undeterred by her circumstances, Laxmi learned to drive by borrowing an auto-rickshaw from a relative. After gaining confidence behind the wheel, she chose to pursue this as a career to support her family.

"I sold my ancestral land to buy an electric auto," she recalls. However, her journey was not without obstacles, as she entered a profession traditionally dominated by men. "Being the only female auto driver in the village, I faced skepticism from others," she reflects on her early days.

Despite the challenges, Laxmi persevered. "Some villagers requested that I pick up their children from home and drop them off at school. I agreed and have been doing it ever since," she explains.

However, once she secured the transport contract for the children, Laxmi realized that her earnings were insufficient to cover her expenses and her daughter's education.

"I later opened a small shop near the Chandahandi Community Health Centre (CHC) and began offering transport services to patients. I now juggle three jobs," she says with a smile.

"The exhausting routine doesn't dampen my spirit because I want my daughter to receive a good education," Laxmi adds.

At her stall, she serves breakfast and drinks to customers. "I wake up at 3 AM to prepare breakfast, then head out to pick up the schoolchildren. After dropping them off, I take my daughter to school and return to manage the shop," she explains.

Laxmi has been driving for three years and is committed to continuing this routine to support her family. "I haven't received a ration card or any government assistance despite applying for them," she laments.

"My life's journey is filled with challenges, and I still face criticism for being an auto driver, but I choose to ignore it with a smile. I know that harsh words won't put food on my table. I want to care for my parents and provide my daughter with a quality education, so she doesn't have to endure what I did," Laxmi states with unwavering determination.