Rajeswari Rai : Sikkim’s First lady Driver in Government Service

SIKKIM MESSENGER

Gangtok : Rajeswari Rai, now 33 years old is the first lady driver to be appointed on Government service. Breaking all the barriers of women’s shy nature, she wrote her name in the history of Sikkim. In 2011, Rajeswari was young, married and was a mother of a two-and-half-year old. She was struggling for a job to have a good life for her and family. Being a graduate, she was frustrated for not having a job. She tried many times, sat in interviews but could not get a job. With a never give up attitude, She again tried and successfully acquired a job as a driver in govt. service. She didn’t fall and tried and tried. 

Rajeshwari’s struggle to get a government job and to become the first woman government driver in Sikkim started with her “desire” to learn driving in 2001. She had worked in Singapore for one year and suffered immense hardships there. Then she decided to come back home and do any kind of job with sincerity and honesty for her state. After a hard work and her consistency, she was appointed in forest department as a driver. She already had acquired driving license. Though it was hard job for her being a women but she had already made her mind that she can adjust it as times go by.   

Rajeswari said in an interview : “Some women may not take chances to learn new skills because they feel shy or don’t have the courage. They should have the courage to do what they want to and learn new skills which could prove beneficial in the long run. There will be posts for woman drivers in government sector in future and they can also drive taxis. The government has given us an opportunity and we must make use of it. Never give up. If you fail once, try again. The good days are always waiting you.” Rajeswari is an inspiration for all women/girls who shy to do an unusual job as no one has ever done before. We don’t know where she is now, but we are sure she must be having a good life as compare to 2011.