{"id":2926,"date":"2015-04-07T09:03:38","date_gmt":"2015-04-07T09:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thiruvananthapuramfirst.in\/?p=2926"},"modified":"2015-04-07T09:06:19","modified_gmt":"2015-04-07T09:06:19","slug":"2926","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thiruvananthapuramfirst.in\/?p=2926","title":{"rendered":"Kudumbasree in the driver\u2019s seat"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kudumbasree Mission is set to start a new innings in Idukki, with women at the wheel of autorickshaws.<\/p>\n

Eighteen women in Thodupuzha will soon get their driving licence.<\/p>\n

Shine M. Cyriac, assistant district mission coordinator, told\u00a0The Hindu<\/i>\u00a0on Monday that the beneficiaries had been selected from Thodupuzha municipality and the grama panchayats of Karinkunnam, Karimannur, Udumpannur, Vannapuram, Purapuzha, Manakkad, and Arakulam.<\/p>\n

If successful, the other grama panchayats too would soon have autorickshaws of the Kudumbasree Mission, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mission runs a taxi service in Thriruvanathapuram, where it is a success,\u201d he said. But Idukki, with greater tourism potential, has so far not introduced Shetaxis.<\/p>\n

\u201cHence there is scope for women autorickshaws. These will ensure safe journey, especially for single women passengers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mr. Cyriac said Kudumbasree would provide training in driving and arrange for loans to purchase autorickshaws. The feasibility of introducing women drivers in other areas would be looked into, he said.<\/p>\n

Shanty Avarchan of Manakkadu, a member of the mission, said she learnt driving as it would give an additional income to her family of four.<\/p>\n

Jaya Pramod of Edavetty said she loved driving, like any other work, and it would be an additional income to support the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a poor family, an autorickshaw is always a bread-earner.\u201d<\/p>\n

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