Kerala’s Radhamani Amma, 71, has defied stereotypes of age and gender to obtain 11 driving licences. Amazingly, she can drive heavy-duty vehicles like JCBs and cranes. Hers has been a determined journey to challenge societal norms.
Radhamani lost her husband in 2004. The resilient woman decided to take positive action to face the challenges she faced. It was her husband who had encouraged her to drive heavy vehicles. The couple established a heavy vehicle driving school on her husband’s suggestions. It was the first heavy vehicle driving school in the state at that time.
She obtained a four-wheeler licence in 1981 and a heavy vehicle licence in 1984. After her husband’s death, Radhamani took charge of the driving school and emerged as a community leader. The A2Z Driving School later became the A2Z Driving Institute, teaching people how to operate all types of heavy equipment, she says.
Self-belief needed
Despite her age, Radhamani continues to study and is currently pursuing a diploma in mechanical engineering. Radhamani encourages people to pursue their desires with dedication and self-belief. She emphasises that driving large vehicles is easier than driving smaller ones and urges people to overcome fear or hesitation to pursue driving.
Balancing her academic pursuits with her love for driving, Radhamani expresses her passion for learning and challenges age restrictions on achievements. She also shares her wish to pilot any novel vehicles that come her way. Her dream to drive a train is improbable, she acknowledges.
She urges women not to perceive driving as exclusive to any gender. She highlights the evolving perception of driving as a necessity for both men and women, with driving skills opening up numerous opportunities.
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