Two rural women to steer Haryana buses

Hisar, Aug 14 (UNI) Two sisters from a rural background are ready to enter one more male bastion in the state, steering through all odds.

Rajbala and Ritu, of Mirkan village near here, have decided to learn driving a bus to secure a job in Haryana Roadways.

Though their father and brothers are opposing the decision, their spouses are supportive in their resolve to enhance the family income and being able to provide good education to their children.

The sisters, determined to get into the state roadways fleet to earn a livelihood, are taking training from a state-run training institute.

Speaking about the hurdles faced by them, Rajbala said people still passed snide remarks about their attempts to enter into a male-dominated profession. ''But we do not care about it,'' she asserted.

''Our President is a woman, can't we become even bus drivers'', she asked.

''Kalpana and Sunita went to the space, why can't we control a bus,'' Ritu sought to know.

''Our father and brothers are not on talking terms with us but we are sure they would understand the need one day and appreciate our decision,'' she added.

Their instructor Nanak Chand Sharma was all praise for them.

''They are so determined that their progress is much faster than many of their male counterparts and I expect them to ply the buses in a month,'' Mr Sharma said.

Central Workshop and Training School General Manager O P Bishnoi also welcomed the move, noting that it was the first time, two women came forward to learn bus driving in Haryana.'' I hope the others will follow suit. We have extended all possible support to them,'' he added.

UNI