Rautahat, June 17

The number of women driving electric rickshaws in northern Rautahat have recently increased, giving them a new avenue to become self-reliant.

Nagmati Chaudhary, 30, of Chandrapur municipality - 12, Santapur said that working as an e-rickshaw driver had improved her family’s quality of life considerably.

Nagmati makes around Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 and works from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm every day. Her husband Sanjay purchased the rickshaw that cost around Rs 3,00,000 for her.

“My husband works at a local health facility, but his income was not enough to run the family. I have been doing this job for the past five months and now, our life is much better. My two children study in a private school now,” Nagmati said.

“I want to set an example and change the mindset that women aren’t supposed to work outside of their homes. A change like this could make our society much better and easier to live in,” she said.

Basanti Kushwar, 35, of Chandrapur - 7, Raitole has been driving a rickshaw for the past three months. She hopes that her job would help her make her children’s future better with better education, and improve her family’s financial condition.

Basanti decided to drive a rickshaw after she saw a man do the same.

“My family’s financial situation has improved considerably after I started this job,” she said.

At least five women in Chandrapur municipality alone have started driving e-rickshaws for their living.

“Electric rickshaws have helped many unemployed men and women make a living,” said e-rickshaw driver Kedar Timalsina of Chandranigahapur. As e-rickshaws run on batteries, the drivers are not affected by fuel crises.