Sunday 11 August 2013

In the driver's seat.

Tangy Tuesdays
goggle image   :Yogita.






On 7th August , 2013 , Yogita Raghunvanshi was the centre of attraction at Vashi APMC market and she failed to understand the reason of being so. She is no Miss India or a cine- star to be under the spotlight. But she is an ordinary woman, a mother of two, 'driving' her life in an extraordinary way.

 Yes , she is a truck driver maneuvering a massive 10 wheel truck. She drove effortlessly into the APMC Market with a 16-tonne consignment of potatoes and was greeted with hostile stares and bitchy comments by the other male drivers and loaders. "Have I come from outer space?" was her query to their odd behaviour. But this welcome or rather the unwelcome, did not faze  or rattle her. She has overcome hostile adversities in life after the untimely death of her husband. She was denied her share of her property and left to fend for herself with two children. She is well equipped with a B.Com and L.L.B. degree but chose to be behind the wheel as it guaranteed a faster payment rather than waiting for the clients to cough up payments as a lawyer.

She has to her credit of covering 5 lakh kilometers by road and is of the opinion that the roads in South India are the best.

She feels that driving a heavy vehicle is much easier  but as a woman bathing by the riverside, using open air washrooms and sleeping in the ghats are bigger difficulties that she is uncomfortable with. Sleeping in her own bed in her own house and having a bath is a luxury for her.

She plans to continue driving her truck for another five years and will retire to elope in her fantasy. By then her children would be qualified enough to take over the reins of the house.

Let us salute to this brave, courageous and self-respecting lady who has the guts to enter a predominantly male arena. May all her wishes be fulfilled. Amen.

Next time, when I am eating aloo ka paratha , I will say a silent prayer of thanks to this lady.

16 comments:

  1. How nice is this!Great that she took things in her hands early on and made a life for her and her children. Many women cave in in situations like these. Good hope! Good luck!

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    1. Circumstances made her a tough lady. Her in-laws denied her share of property and she lost the case but destiny had other plans for her.

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  2. Wow! What a woman. I salute her. Thanks for sharing this, Kalpana.

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    1. Yogita is worth our salutations, Corrine. It's my pleasure sharing this article.

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  3. vow!! thanks for sharing this Kalpana :)... very inspiring and she surely deserves a salute ...

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  4. Amazing! Ladies driving truck is a rare sight and rather than condemning her, society, specially men should applause her. It's really difficult to maneuver a truck in busy lanes.

    Thanks for sharing and please link your blog to your Google profile, I had to google to find your blog.

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    1. Saru, when questioned Yogita said that mANEUVERING the mechanical monster was much easier than compared to other bigger problems that a lady faces like answering to nature's call, bathing in the open etc. Hats off to her grit and determination.

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  5. A story of grit, determination and courage! Bravo yogita!! Thanks kalpana for sharing this inspiring post:)

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    1. Thanks Asha for reading and appreciating my post . Indeed brave Yogita.

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  6. Oh wow, what an inspiring story. This just goes to show that when one has determination, only the sky is the limit.

    Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

    This post truly deserves to be one of Blogadda's Tangy Tuesday Picks

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    1. Thanks mahabore for the appreciation and and this lady has shown nerves of steel in facing adversities of life. She is indeed a gutsy lady.

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  7. Wow wow wow this was truly amazing!!

    Congrats for winning the tangy tuesday pick :D

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  8. Wow! What a story. Truly admirable to be the man in her life.

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  9. She is courageous to face the adversities all alone. Very inspiring indeed !!

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  10. Notwithstanding glares of a medieval mindset such women will be on the forefront to run the country!Hope we see more of this trend!

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