'Ummeed ki Rickshaw' is a unique program that aims toempower economically backward women in the capital city. Ummeed and Centre forEquity and Inclusion (CEQUIN) have begun to assist women in Delhi to becomeindependent and self-sufficient by providing environmentally friendly electricrickshaws.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister, Government of Indiapresented the first green rickshaw to Kohinoor, a 33 year old single mother of3 young children. Asked of her experience so far, Kohinoor said "I getstared at and some people snigger at me when they see me driving the rickshaw. Othersget curious and enquire what I am doing and I explain to them the benefits ofdriving an eco-friendly vehicle and how the government has set up a program toempower disadvantaged women. I sometimes feel uncomfortable, but I am sure Iwill get used to it".
Gender activists in the city have welcomed the move andeveryone unanimously agrees that it is a step in the right direction. NamrataJaswal, a student in South Delhi says, “It is admirable to see a woman drivinga rickshaw in a place like Delhi, where violence against women is very common.We need to understand that Kohinoor’s situation is very different from that ofa woman driving a similar rickshaw in Mumbai. Her Mumbai peers will not have toworry about being molested or worse, being robbed by her own passengers”.
Kohinoor revealed that she makes about Rs. 250/- a day,something that is not enough to lead even a frugal life. However, she says thatshe feels a lot more confident now as she can hope to drive longer routes toearn more. At the moment, she restricts herself to the neighborhoods ofMaharani Bagh and New Friends Colony, until her confidence in her drivingskills and her trust in passengers develop. Meanwhile, Delhiites may soon begin to seemore of these green rickshaws on their streets.
CEQUIN was set up by Sara Pilot and Lora Prabhu in 2008 toempower people from marginalized and excluded sections of the society in New Delhi.
