Meet the first woman bus driver as ministers of Jammu

Jammu, Dec 27: Breaking the glass ceiling, Pooja Devi of Kathua district in Jammu has become the first woman passenger bus driver in Jammu and Kashmir. Mother of three children, Pooja Devi ferried passengers on Jammu-Kathua route.

I wanted to become a bus or truck driver. I used to see myself driving heavy vehicles in my dreams during my childhood. I belong to a very poor family. My father was a farmer and wasn’t able to educate me, but I decided to take up driving as a career,” said Pooja Devi to Media.

She said that it was not an easy task to become a bus driver while narrating her struggle and had to face many hurdles including opposition from her family and husband.

My husband was initially against my decision. He tries to convince me by saying that driving is not a good profession for women. But I told him that I want to pursue my dreams,” she said.

Pooja who must be in her 30s learned truck driving from her maternal uncle, Rajinder Singh, and later applied for a license for driving heavy vehicles.

Initially, I used to drive cars, then I became a driving instructor at a driving school. I also used to drive taxis. Then, I decided to drive heavy vehicles. Rajinder Singh Ji taught me to drive the truck and I’m very grateful to him. There was a time when I felt that no one would give me a bus to drive. But Jammu-Kathua Bus Union reposed faith in me,” she said.

While driving the passenger bus on the Jammu-Kathua route, her 7-year-old son accompanies her on the journey. Pooja Devi informed that she has to take his son along with her as he can’t stay at home without her.

Talking about her family Diva said “I have three children. My daughter studies in Class 10, my son in Class 7, and the youngest son in Class 2. My youngest son can’t stay at home without me. My husband is a labourer. I want to appeal to the government to help us financially.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh uploaded her picture on Twitter and wrote, “Proud to have from district Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, the first woman bus driver Pooja Devi“.

Pooja got the support of male bus drivers as well as the public who have appreciated her decision to take up driving as a profession.

I was surprised to see a woman driving. We feel proud of her. It is a historic moment for J&K,” said a passenger.

“It is great to see women coming forward and breaking taboos. Pooja Devi has made history. We are very proud of her,” said another passenger.

It is a historic day for district Kathua, Basohli Tehsil and the entire J&K. She comes from a very poor family. I feel so proud of her. I would request Prime Minister Modi to provide her a government job,” said Updesh Andotra a local social worker in Kathua.