Gutsy she-power drives Kolkata four-wheelers

KOLKATA: Pallabi Chakraborty has been confidently driving down the city’s roads for over a year-and-a-half now. But it was a rocky start for Kolkata’s first transgender chauffeur, and it wasn’t just about breaking social taboos.
Chakraborty learnt driving some two years back, but finding a job proved to be an uphill task. Forget a trans woman, no one was willing to see a woman behind the wheel, she says.“There was simply no societal acceptance for female and transgender chauffeurs,” she adds.

All of 25, today Chakraborty is one of the 20 female chauffeurs in the city from Sakha Consulting Wing of Women on Wheels who are happily driving SUVs in the city. “I took up a driving assignment at Azad Foundation and also worked as a chauffeur for a WBCS officer. Three months back, I started working for a company as a driver in Alipore,” she says.
Those who used to make fun of her today offer her toffees for doing a job well. “On August 3, I am also supposed to be felicitated on a stage where many members of the transgender community will act in a play called ‘Bhalobashar Barandae’,” Chakraborty adds.
Chakraborty has also earned support among the city’s women chauffeurs and taxi drivers. Among them is 20-year-old Falguni Chanda, who hit the road in January last year. “My father has been a driver. So, taking up this profession never came as a shock to my family,” says Chanda.
But it’s a different story out on the streets. Fellow drivers get apprehensive when they see a woman behind the wheel. “When I have to park my car and use the back gear, male drivers want to volunteer. That’s when I politely refuse and show them my skill,” Chanda adds with a smile.
Most car owners hiring female chauffeurs said they found it difficult adjusting with the behaviour of male drivers. “I found it difficult to find one and was tired of their chauvinism,” says lawyer Sarada Hariharan, whose car Chanda drives. Hariharan learnt of this organisation, which offered its services in Kolkata too. Today, she is happy with Chanda and insists that female chauffeurs are both “professional” and “eager”.
On the flip side, female drivers earn less than their male counterparts. “Since this is a new initiative, car owners have to be given some incentive to employ women drivers. For a 10-hour shift, a female driver usually gets Rs 7,000 per month. I, however, earn more,” says Chakraborty.
For some of the drivers, finding roads gets difficult at times. “But that’s because girls are sheltered at home and might not have travelled far. In contrast, boys are used to roaming around alone. So they know the roads better,” Hariharan says.
Is driving at night a security concern? Chanda and Chakraborty say they aren’t scared. “I usually get over by 5.30/6pm. I don’t have issues on rare occasions when work stretches till 9pm,” Chanda says.
Chameli Das, who coordinates the operations and placement of Sakha Consulting Wing of Women on Wheels, says, “The number of female drivers being trained varies from 17 to 20. While there are new entrants, some give up because of personal problems. Two transgender candidates are taking lessons now. Besides driving, we also give them personal grooming classes. There is also training in language, first-aid and self-defence.”
Actor Saswata Chatterjee’s wife Mohua had opted for a female chauffeur. “That was the safest option keeping in mind the security of my teenage daughter. I had hired the services of two female chauffeurs. Currently, I have a male chauffeur since I haven’t got someone who is skilled. But if I get someone who is confident and drives well, I will prefer a female chauffeur any day,” Chatterjee says.