Delhi to get four lady chauffeurs

Nineteen-year-old, Geeta, daughter of a domestic help, feels on top of the world after being chosen as a lady chauffeur for hotels in the capital. She may be seen on the roads giving a tour to tourists across the city by this month-end.

Geeta is one among the four students under the economically weaker section category from Women Technical Institute in the capital to be chosen to become lady chauffeurs for hotels under International Travel House Limited (ITHL).

“I feel great. By getting this job, I feel independent as I will be standing on my feet. I want to hit the road as soon as possible so that I can start earning and help my mother,” said the teenager, whose father is no more.

“I thank my principal and teachers at the institute for believing in me and giving me such an opportunity.”

These girls have been given a separate car to hone their driving skills.

“We practise for three to four hours daily. After learning driving I have gained a lot of confidence. I want to help my family so I look forward to getting started as a lady chauffeur,” said Jyoti, daughter of a labourer.

Vidushi Chaturvedi, director of education, New Delhi Municipal Council, said, “This initiative will set an example in the society. It is going to break a stereotype as chauffeurs have always been a men-dominated field. With women assuming power in different arenas, more jobs will be created for them in return giving them more sense of empowerment.”

Earlier this year, the NDMC has introduced driving as one of the vocational training skills in Women Technical Institute under its new initiative aimed at making students self-employed.
Around 20 girls had received their driving licences in April after completing a three-month programme.

The ITHL hired four girls from this batch of 20. “These girls will be deployed with single woman guests, foreigner or Indian. When they will become confident of driving and handling guests, they will be pushed forward to bigger roles,” said an official of ITHL.

International Travel House Limited is a sister company of Indian Tourism Corporation.