Meet Sheela, KSRTC's first woman driver

VP Sheela became the first woman driver of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), but it was not an easy journey for the 10th pass out. Sheela earned her 'dream job' by working hard towards it. She cracked the KSRTC drivers test in her fifth attempt and has since been working tirelessly.

Perumbavoor (Kerala): Hours before the crack of dawn, when most of the world is fast asleep, VP Sheela begins her day at 3 am. She rushes to her workplace at 4 am and reports to duty at 5 am every day. “A good job,” she defines, “is the job of your interest.” Seriously, else you can't expect a passionate and ebullient 40-something lady to sit daily behind the wheels to steer a bus replete with passengers the whole day.

Yet, success didn't come to Sheela – the first woman driver of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) – by accident. She lost her father at a young age, but it was from her mother and brothers that she received unstinting support and encouragement to pursue her dream.

Driving has been Sheela's singular passion since childhood, and she was mentally prepared to learn and put it into practice no matter what.

"Driving has been my passion. My brothers helped me to realise my dream. But long before that, I was mentally prepared to follow my passion. I believe no one is without an ambition in one's life. Just do not quit it if you want to realise your dream."

Years later, one of her friends procured the details of the KSRTC drivers test and provided her. The process included certificate verification, driving test (50 percent) and written test (50 percent). Armed with a Class X certificate, Sheela was desperate to take the KSRTC drivers test.

The first time she appeared for the test, it ended up in utter disappointment. She could not qualify the test in the second, third, and even fourth attempt.
“Each time I failed I kept trying harder,” said Sheela.

“Though the minimum qualification for my post was class 7th, I had to compete with graduates and post-graduates. I believe that is why I had to attempt the test five times," she added.

Finally, in 2010, she succeeded.

Once behind the wheel, she worked passionately, doing double duty for months together with no sign of physical exertion and often leaving the bus depot at 8.30 pm.

Saadique, one of her colleagues, said, "I am more comfortable working with Sheela. She does her duty quite efficiently. Initially, passengers were surprised when they discovered a woman at the driver's seat."

A beaming Sheela says that although she is completely satisfied with her job, she's a bit concerned about the fact that she doesn't receive her salary on time.

Encouraging the younger generation, she said, "Do not get scared of society, you need to come out and do your best in your field of interest. Support from parents is the foundation for any success."

Sheela firmly believes that if you have a good job, everything will fall in place in life.