Driving Her Way to Gender Equality-Meet Udupi’s First Catholic Female Auto Driver

Driving Her Way to Gender Equality-Meet Udupi’s First Catholic Female Auto Driver

Pics by Ankith Shetty

Udupi: Like they say that “Every daughter wants to follow in her Mother’s Footsteps”-but here is a feminine figure who has decided to follow in a Man’s footsteps? and that too in her ‘Father’s footsteps. Motivation is a driving force that helps people move towards their goals. We all rely on motivation to pursue our dreams and give our best. While some people are intrinsically motivated by their interest and passion, others rely on external forces like a reward or motivational stories of great personalities, who achieved great success despite several challenges and repeated failures through hard work and persistence.

This article contains the story of Udupi District’s First Woman Catholic Auto Rickshaw driver. She chose not to depend on relatives for financial support and therefore decided to earn her livelihood and also to fulfill her father’s wish. Transcending all barriers and breaking stereotypes, she took up the male-dominated profession, and through sheer hard work and a lot of guts has become an inspiration for many.

Jasmine Luvida D’Costa, daughter of Late Lesley D’Costa hails from a small village called Peramaplli near Udupi. Her father Lesley D’Costa was also an Auto-Driver in Perampalli. Jasmine has completed her SSLC. Her father expired nine months due to illness. After his death, Jasmine was staying in a rented house in Perampalli. Her father’s Auto-Rickshaw was sold by her aunt after his death. Jasmine dad’s dream was that his daughter someday becomes an Auto-Rickshaw driver. So, a month ago she fulfilled her dad’s desire.

Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Jasmine said, “My dad had taught me little how to ride an auto-rickshaw, and after his death, I learned for about three days with the help of a rickshaw driver who is my neighbour and then applied for the license. When I decided to buy my own Auto, I was denied the loan by several banks. But a Good Samaritan, the manager of Union Bank in Udupi agreed to sanction my request for a loan, which made my dream come true”.

“Right now I don’t have any fear in driving the Auto-Rickshaw. I park my Auto at the Perampalli church Auto stand. I am on my auto daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm and earning around Rs 1000. I am happy that I took up this profession, where I am making a living out of the pretty good earnings. In fact, I am excited and feel happy to be the First Catholic Woman auto driver in Udupi district. Many woman passengers like to travel in my auto and are very happy about my choice of the profession. I do not overcharge passengers or tourists. Many elderly passengers and women tourists have been happy hiring my auto,” added Jasmine.

She concluded by saying, “More women need to break barriers and make a place for themselves in male-centric fields. Also, everybody is emphasizing on women empowerment, however, I believe that we need to address the issue of unemployment among women first so that they become self-sufficient. All you need is to take that first step. When you are passionate about something, don’t hesitate. Be bold, and with your capability, knowledge, efforts, you can achieve anything. First, build your own internal support, what you seek from the world outside is secondary. If you don’t trust yourself enough, it doesn’t matter whose trust you rely on. Don’t ever quit without trying. Make sure your work brings happiness to you, your family and your country.”