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Women cab drivers in the Indian capital New Delhi are part of a novel attempt by the government to integrate women into the tourism industry as part of the organised sector
Nine women are being trained, under 'Project Priyadarshini', to form the first batch of taxi drivers and tourist guides in New Delhi. The scheme is part of the Ministry of Tourism's initiative to boost the country's image in the tourism sector worldwide, as well as provide employment to women. The first group of women cab drivers is expected to be trained by early 2006.
Minister of State for Tourism Renuka Chaudhuri handed over the keys of the cars to women drivers from Ashok Travel and Tours, run by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). Replying to questions in the House, she said the project had been praised, with civil society organisations and multinationals expressing a desire to be part of the project, which will be taken up as a pilot project in Delhi and later extended to Mumbai and Andhra Pradesh.
The government has undertaken to provide training in driving and vehicle repair/maintenance. Also, judo and karate, foreign languages, etiquette and how to handle tourists. The women can choose the car they want to drive and are also being trained as guides. The ministry will help them get easy loans, besides making available subsidies under existing government schemes for the purchase of taxis.
ITDC managing director M S Manchanda says: "We will first advertise about Priyadarshini. When women come forward, we will see what they are interested in becoming -- drivers, tour operators or entrepreneurs."
Tourism Secretary A K Mishra adds: "The ministry's capacity-building funds will be used to train the women. Female tourists to India will also feel confident travelling with female taxi drivers, accompanied by one female helper." This is significant in the wake of complaints against the capital's unsafe public transport system and increasing crimes against women passengers. One such incident was the rape and murder of an Australian traveller Emily Griggs by two cab drivers plying a pre-paid taxi, on March 17, 2004.
What's heartening about the programme is that it is a novel attempt to integrate women into the tourism industry as part of the organised sector. Forty-year-old Rajni Mahajan, a member of the new team, says: "There is nothing that the women of today cannot do. We are flying planes, saving lives and fighting for our country...We are all excited about this new profession and hopefully more women will join us soon."
The tourism ministry also plans to help women from different socio-economic backgrounds gain a foothold in small and medium tourism-related enterprises like art-cum-souvenir shops, restaurants and dhabas, and help/information kiosks, under the 'Shehri Rojgar Yojna' of the Urban Development Ministry. This should help boost employment in cities and towns.
Source: http://www.newkerala.com, December 9, 2005
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com, December 9, 2005
http://www.hindu.com/, December 10, 2005
http://sify.com, December 13, 2005
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