Night Rides For Women, Free Rides For Poor: Meet Chennai’s Auto Akka

Agreed that in the present times, Indian women are breaking all stereotypes and daring to get into professions that have been nothing less than a taboo for them. They are fighting for their right to speech, right to be independent and pretty much every other right bestowed upon Indian citizens. Their struggle has always been a silent one. Lately, the surge in the number of women voicing out their opinions and standing up for the greater good is outright overwhelming.

Women have taken over banking and financial sectors, IT sector, and even flying fighter jets. While most of us assume that the gender inequality problem is nearly sorted now, allow us to tell you that we’re wrong! The fire pertaining to the issue of safety for women is still fresh and burning like never before. Unfortunately, it’s indeed a sad state that the appalling crimes against women in our country are rising with every passing day. Whether it’s working in a graveyard shift in a company, catching a late-night flight or could be stepping out of home for an emergency, the darkness of the streets outside cloaks the multitudinous horrors faced by the women in our country. In times like these, trusting an auto or a cab driver can surely be an avoidable choice. But if you’re going to avoid it, how else will you be able to commute through your city?

“Call me,” says Raji Akka aka the “Auto Akka” of Chennai. Meet PV Raji Ashok, an autokaari (Tamil for a female auto driver) from Chennai who has dedicated her life to helping women commute safely in her city. Curious to know about her? Well, let’s know Raji akka together. Read on.

Who Is Raji Akka?

Originally hailing from Palakkad in Kerala, Raji is a 48-year-old woman living in Chennai. And she holds a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Even after working for 8-9 hours in a day, if her phone buzzes at midnight, she answers the phone and never turns down an auto ride for women. Her only request from the women commuters, however, is that they book the auto ride at least an hour in advance so she can schedule her auto rides accordingly.

What Makes Raji Akka So Special?

If you’re a Rajnikanth fan, then you’ll surely know the song “Naa Autokaran” from the Tamil movie Baashha. And, every single line of this song suits Raji so well.

Just like the meaning that the lyrics of the song portray, Raji is someone who knows the route to reach every nook and corner of the city. She’s been an auto driver here for 20 years. Also, she never charges any extra money even if she is called in the wee hours of the night or morning. She’s known as a friend for the poor as she offers free rides to senior citizens, children, and to all those women who cannot afford to pay.

Her Story Began With A Love Story

Raji was still studying when she fell in love with Ashok, an auto driver from the same village. After their marriage, the couple decided to shift to Coimbatore. Ashok drove an auto while Raji worked as an accountant.

The couple decided to shift their base to Chennai after the serial bomb blasts that took place in Coimbatore in 1998. Nearly 60 people lost their lives as a result of 12 blasts in 11 places. Raji recalls saying that the blasts shook the lives of many people living in Coimbatore. Ashok’s and Raji’s were among those.

The Hardships She Faced

Despite owning a degree, she wasn’t successful in finding a job. This is when she decided to drive auto just like her husband. She said that initially, she had a tough time driving around as she hardly knew how to drive an auto. The unknown lanes of the new city and the traffic that came along with it posed some serious hurdles for her. However, she kept practicing and driving the auto every day. Soon, she became an auto expert and served as an inspiration to men and women alike. She was a living testament that there is no job that’s too big or small.

Today, she is seen giving motivational talks in colleges. She even teaches people to drive an auto for free. She says that there’s no point in cribbing and complaining about the safety of women in our country. Women themselves need to put their foot down. It is in their hands to build a safe environment while doing what interests them at the same time.

After knowing about Raji Akka’s story we now know one thing for sure. Each one of us in this world can be a brave heart. However, very few dare to be one. And, we think that’s what makes her life so inspiring and special. We truly salute Raji’s concern and care for the safety of women.

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