Riding with passion to earn a livelihood

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 25

Two middle-aged women were the cynosure of all eyes at a function in which Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal launched UberMOTO — "Apni Gaddi Apna Rozgar" — at the Indian School of Business here today.

Among 100 two-wheeler driver-partners of the company, two women — 52-year-old Paramjit Kaur and 44-year-old Madhubala — grabbed all attention when they went to the dais to get their permit and mobile phone from the minister.

“People might have felt odd seeing us as two-wheeler driver-partners, but for us, it isn't strange. We are excited and happy to be two-wheeler driver-partners of the company and will earn our livelihood through this job,” said the women drivers.

Paramjit Kaur, who is a grandmother, said she felt happy after getting two passengers on the first day. “First I transported a child from Sector 48 to Sector 47 and then a gentleman from Sector 47 to PVR Cinemas in the Industrial Area on her Activa Jupiter scooter. It was a fantastic experience,” said Paramjit Kaur, who is a widow and mother of two grown-up sons and a married daughter.

Paramjit Kaur, who went through a lot of struggle after the death of her husband, said she did a number of jobs, including selling products door to door. “Now, my sons are also earning, but I am determined to contribute to run our family,” she said.

Madhubala, whose huband’s two four-wheelers are already attached with Uber, said she, too, wanted to do something exciting. “I am doing a job of accounts in a private establishment. I want to do part-time work to earn extra bucks. The idea of two-wheeler driver-partner attracted me as there is no tension in it,” said Madhubala, a mother.

She said if the work suited her, she would do it full time.

Madhubala, who, too, got two rides on her maiden day, said she faced no trouble in transporting male pillion riders on her Activa scooter.

Earlier, the minister claimed that the "Apni Gaddi Apna Rozgar" scheme would help in providing self-employment to at least one lakh youth in the state every year.