In an inspiring display of grit and familial duty, two young sisters from the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir have stepped forward to keep their household running following an unforeseen family crisis. When a severe accident left their father unable to work, Banjeet Kaur and Devinder Kaur took control of the family's commercial vehicles. Today, the two sisters navigate the busy streets behind the wheels of a school bus and an auto-rickshaw, managing household expenses while resolutely continuing their education. Their determination directly challenges traditional gender biases surrounding commercial driving professions.
The Accident That Put the Family at a Crossroads
The family had long relied on the daily earnings of their father, who operated a school bus during the morning hours and ran an auto-rickshaw through the rest of the day to make ends meet. Believing that young women must be self-reliant, the father had proactively taught both Banjeet and Devinder how to drive these commercial vehicles. His primary motivation was to ensure that his daughters would never have to depend on anyone else and could stand firmly on their own feet whenever life demanded.
That preparation proved crucial when a domestic mishap occurred. The father fell from a staircase, sustaining serious injuries to his arm. The severity of the injury left him physically incapable of handling the heavy steering wheels and operating manual vehicle controls. With their sole breadwinner incapacitated, the household immediately faced the acute stress of covering day-to-day living costs, medical care, and grocery bills.
Stepping Up to Take the Steering Wheel
Faced with an abrupt halt in their family income, the two sisters refused to give in to despair. Instead of worrying about traditional gender roles, Banjeet Kaur and Devinder Kaur chose to step directly into their father's shoes. Armed with the driving lessons he had imparted, they took charge of both vehicles to ensure daily earnings continued without disruption. In the early morning hours, they operate the school bus transport, ensuring children reach their destination safely, and during the daytime, they shift to driving the auto-rickshaw to ferry passengers across local routes.
Balancing Textbooks with Daily Road Commutes
Taking up demanding transport work on the road has not caused the sisters to abandon their academic aspirations. They maintain a rigorous routine that balances physical labor with continuous learning. Whenever they experience downtime between passenger trips or while waiting at vehicle stands, the sisters pull out their textbooks. Moments behind the wheel regularly turn into impromptu study sessions, allowing them to prepare for their educational milestones while actively earning a living for the household.
Overcoming Public Scrutiny and Stereotypes
Operating passenger vehicles in regional towns remains an unconventional occupation for young women. When Banjeet and Devinder initially arrived at local auto stands, they frequently encountered questioning glances, surprised stares, and dismissive remarks from onlookers and passersby. Skeptics questioned their presence in a male-dominated workspace.
However, the sisters chose to disregard the skepticism and stay focused on their core objective. Their stance remains grounded in practical realities: they observed that when the family was in dire need following their father's injury, no outside critics stepped up to clear their dues or provide sustenance. Consequently, they resolved that idle public opinion should never dictate how they support their parents, allowing them to go about their daily shifts with confidence.
Supporting Parents and Planning for the Future
The family consists of four daughters, two of whom were previously married by their father during better times. Now, Banjeet and Devinder represent the vital pillar of support for their aging and recovering parents. Alongside funding their immediate family needs, both sisters are also saving money independently to prepare for their own marriages in the future. They firmly resolve to ensure their parents never feel the absence of a son in the family, willingly shouldering every household responsibility through honest labor and resilience.
