Seema Thakur, Himachal's Road Transport Driver becomes first to Cross State Border

On Wednesday, the HRTC woman driver drove a bus on the Shimla-Chandigarh route to become the first HRTC woman driver to drive on an interstate route.

Thakur is a 31-year-old woman who had been driving within the state until now. Hailing from Arki in Solan district, she joined the corporation five years back as the only woman driver. She started her driving life with taxis and drove within the city. She had been driving electric buses on the Shimla-Solan route for the past few years.

“I have been driving electric buses for many years in the city. So, I am really happy to get an opportunity to operate on an interstate route," Thakur said.

"Next, I would like to drive a Volvo. Don’t be surprised if you soon see me driving a Volvo bus on the Shimla-Delhi route,” she added.

Seema Thakur, the only woman bus driver in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) yesterday drove a bus on Shimla-Chandigarh route to become first HRTC woman driver to drive on an inter-state route.

She says,"It was a great experience. I'm proud that I got this opportunity" pic.twitter.com/YOm6C1cQZG

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2021

Seema was encouraged by her assisting conductor too. He was impressed with Thakur's driving skills although it was an unfamiliar experience for him. “She drove well, just like any other male driver. Watching a woman driving a bus, passengers were curious and kept asking about her,” he said.

 Women drivers are a perfect example of inclusiveness in the working world. Although the numbers are unimpressively low, the initiative taken by transport corporations to appoint women drivers is a way to go. As Thakur described her name as the first woman driver in HRTC, many other women were also seen to be breaking glass ceilings by taking the steering in their hands.

 Munmun Sarkar became one of the Covid warriors by contributing her driving skills to deliver Covid patients to hospitals, free of cost. The 48-year-old woman delivered essentials to the houses of patients who were quarantined. She was already known to break grounds as she was a pioneer in the city as the first woman Toto driver.

 Ankita Shah, a 35-year-old specially-abled woman from Ahmedabad broke all gender stereotypes and societal norms by deciding to enter the male-dominated world of auto drivers. Ankita was motivated to drive an auto to aid the medical bills of her father who was suffering from cancer.