Jeypore: Sulata Golari, a tribal girl of Kamata village under Borigumma block in Koraput district, has suddenly become the cynosure of all eyes in this town. A class-10 pass out, Sulata is perhaps the first woman auto driver in southern Odisha.
It is not that she loves the profession. Sulata has been forced to take it up after her father was hit by a disease that rendered him useless. Sulata at that time was pursuing higher secondary studies. However, with no income to support the family she was forced to start driving her father’s three-wheeler.
“In my first trip I earned Rs 40, but the happiness I got was invaluable,” said Sulata. She informed that she plies on the route between Kamata and Borigumma.
However, her initial experience in the male-dominated industry was not good. “All the autos are driven by men. They would always pass comments when I parked my vehicle at the auto stand. But I did not allow these hindrances to bother me as I had to earn for my family,” said Sulata. “Now passengers prefer my auto over others,” she boasted.
A believer in the axiom ‘God helps those who help themselves’, Sulata said she is against the very idea of begging. “When I have the ability to earn why shouldn’t I,” asked the simple-looking girl.
Sulata, however, has not given up on her educational aspirations. “I will definitely pursue it when the opportunity comes along,” Sulata said with a smile on her face as he turned on the ignition key of her vehicle to carry the next group of passengers.
Local residents are proud for the role she has taken to look after her family. They said that she is a prime example of how determination can help one succeed in life.
PNN