Bengaluru: For Jancy B V, learning to drive an auto-rickshaw was more than a way to earn a living. It became a path to independence — and she is now helping other women find the same freedom by teaching them to drive without charging a fee.
Jancy lost her father when she was just 12. Her mother became the family’s sole breadwinner, taking up domestic work and construction jobs to support the family. Financial difficulties meant Jancy could not continue her education beyond Class 10, and she joined a garment factory at the age of 16.
From tea stall to auto-rickshaw
After marriage, Jancy and her husband ran a tea stall. Her husband later suggested that she learn to drive an auto-rickshaw to help with errands.
Initially nervous about driving, Jancy gradually gained confidence with her husband’s encouragement. Her first day as an auto driver brought her Rs 700, giving her the confidence that she could earn independently.
Free driving lessons for women
In 2021, Jancy noticed that many women wanted to work but lacked the necessary support. She decided to teach women how to drive without charging them.
Since then, nearly 50 women have learnt driving from her.
“I just wanted them to learn and stand on their own feet,” Jancy said.
Her students’ progress has become a source of pride for her. Seeing women drive and earn for themselves, she says, motivates her to continue helping others.
Creating a road to independence
Jancy’s journey reflects how access to a practical skill can create new opportunities for women facing financial difficulties.
From learning to drive to support her own family to teaching other women for free, her work has turned an individual struggle into a wider effort to promote independence.
For Jancy, the greatest reward is seeing her students become confident drivers and earn their own livelihoods. She hopes many more women will follow their own road towards independence.