Bhubaneswar: Breaking the existing gender stereotypes in Indian society, Meghna Sahoo from Bhubaneswar is showing the way to others.
The 28-year-old Meghna recently became the first and only transgender to join cab aggregator, Ola as a driver, according to sources.
An MBA in HR and Marketing, Meghna decided to take up professional driving not only to earn her living but also to set an example for others in her community to earn a livelihood in a dignified manner.
Meghna decided to take up the profession of being a commercial driver a couple of years ago. But she was then denied for not having a commercial vehicle license. She didn't lose hope and finally succeeded in becoming an Ola partner in Bhubaneswar around six months back.
Speaking to odishatv.in, Meghna said, "I decided to start this profession when I didn't have any other source of income. Customers have been very supportive as well. Regional Transport Office (RTO) here and 'Ola' have helped me a lot in my endeavors."
"I haven't felt any discrimination so far. Most of the time customers are really happy to see a transgender driving a cab rather standing at traffic signals and begging money," added Meghna.
Meghna Sahoo, who earns around 25,000 per month, has some noteworthy memories from her last six months as a cab driver. She has many such instances to tell where female passengers have felt more secured by seeing her as a cab driver.
A lady customer was crying when she boarded my car. When I asked her, she replied that an auto-rickshaw driver had harassed her and that's why she was upset. But seeing a transgender driving the cab, she felt very happy and secure.
--- Meghna Sahoo
Meghna is also associated with an NGO called 'Sakha' which works towards providing employment to transgenders in various sectors through different projects.
Meghna’s marriage with Basudev Naik last year was also a barrier-breaching step. She feels that it's high time for the transgender community to join the mainstream and rise above all kinds of gender disparities.