A septuagenarian woman drives auto-rickshaw as a hobby (amended)

A 78-year-old Draupadi Chandwani has been driving an auto-rickshaw for the past 15 years in Indore, for no reason but as a hobby.

Indore, Dec 26 : A 78-year-old Draupadi Chandwani has been driving an auto-rickshaw for the past 15 years in Indore, for no reason but as a hobby.

Hailing from a well-to-do family Chandwani began driving auto-rickshaw just for fun but now her fancy desire has attracted a lot of attention from people around.

An enterprising lady, Chandwani initially managed a departmental store in Bangalore. For her, age is no limitation and she neither cares for the reaction of the society to her fancies.

"I thought that I should do something different. Then this idea hit my mind. It's only then people appreciate you. I drive auto-rickshaw for myself, and if some elderly needs a lift, I don't mind," said Chandwani.

In 1992, Chandwani approached her husband to buy her an auto-rickshaw. He readily fulfilled the demand. Since then, she has been enjoying her auto-rickshaw drive.

After shifting to Indore in 2001, she did not lose interest in her hobby and continued with her passion on the roads of the princely city of Madhya Pradesh.

While on the road, her prime preference is for the oldies, the needy ladies and children.

Residents in her neighbourhood admire her guts and address her by the nickname 'Colonel Bai Saheb'.

"Although ladies do feel that this is a very difficult task, and believe that only men can handle the auto, with this lady driving the auto-rickshaw, I feel they are surely walking shoulder to shoulder with us. While the ladies at my home feel that now even they should do something like this," said Prakash.

Despite driving auto-rickshaw for the past 15 years, she still considers that auto-rickshaw driving is not a suitable a profession for women as indecent and drunken customers could pose threat to the safety and security of lady drivers. By Rajni Khaitan

ANI