Rani Kinnar from the transgender community sets the example straight for others after becoming India’s first five star rated cab driver.
While most from the transgender community are forced to lead an unfortunate life by begging in the trains or on the footpaths for a livelihood, Rani breaking all social barriers refused to do the latter and chose to work and earn her living and respect.
Rani’s journey was not all smooth and sailing and suffered a a major setback early on in her career when she drove an auto rickshaw due to the lack of trust and support from society but it was her determination and never back down attitude that had her volunteer as a driver for an ambulance during the holy Ratha Yatra in Puri.
“I started driving auto in 2016, but it didn’t work for me because people didn’t use my auto. But in 2017, I opted to drive an ambulance during the Ratha Yatra in Puri,” Rani told ANI.
She was later introduced to the world of cab driving for multinationals by an ex-Uber employee who encouraged her to join the firm as a partner driver.
After successfully clearing the interview, she purchased her own car and is now inspiring more people from her community to earn their own livelihood with their heads held high.
“By seeing Rani ma’am, I have become her follower and want to become a driver myself. As you see people, especially girls, feel safe with us while they are travelling during late hours in comparison to male drivers who seem risky,” said Snehashree Kinnar, another member of the trans community in Odisha.
Rani is truly an inspiration not just for others of her community but for the world as she proves nothing is impossible when you have determination!
