Taxi driver

Five years ago her family went through a turbulent time when her husband lost his job in Tata Tomco. To sustain her family,she did a diploma in astrology and opened a chamber. However,she did not succeed in her venture. She also could not continue her job as a medical representative.

“I did not like to drive a taxi but financial compulsions forced me to do so,” she added.

She says that whatever she earns today is enough to meet her growing demands. She now has a two-room flat at Kankurgachi and hopes to build a well-furnished house in future.

But what led her to opt for the job? Papia said,“I was inspired by the story of India’s first woman taxi driver Jasbir Kaur.”

Her family went against her decision of becoming a taxi driver five years ago. She said that her father threatened to commit suicide and her husband started considering her a mad woman.

Apart from being a taxi driver,she loves poetry. She used to recite poems in her childhood. She received her bachelor degree from Basirhat College several years ago.

With a glint of hope in her eyes she says that when her son becomes established in life she will try to take up her interest in cultural activities. Papia is well versed in many languages which helps her interact with her passengers. At the end of the day she barely has time for her son but she wants to spend more time with him. She admits it’s tough to drive on Puja days.

Of the 47 drivers of AC taxis,Papia is the lone woman. But she does not complain. She says that her fellow drivers have much respect for her.

She says she had not faced any major hassles driving a taxi on the road. “Only once a sergeant in New Market lodged a case against me when I went against him for beating up a taxi driver,” she added. She has formed a union of AC taxi drivers.

“Round the year many people from Delhi,Ranchi and other cities have hired my taxi to visit places of interest in West Bengal,” Papia said.

“They are my guests and I try to maintain a good rapport with them. Some of my passengers were even willing to be guarantors for my account in HDFC bank,” she added.

Papia loves to travel with her family during holidays. She has visited many places with them. She wants to see her son grow up as an engineer in future. Now,she has two more yellow taxis and hopes to open her own travel agency anytime soon. She says she has to fight for another few years to fulfil her dreams.

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