These women auto drivers from Chennai took IIM by storm
The HinduDivya M sat nervously on a chair, as she watched discussions on cooperative entrepreneurship, a term she could hardly pronounce. Divya, part of a team of women auto drivers that calls themselves Veera Pengal Munnetra Sangam, won the first prize in Coop 2024, a competition aimed at promoting cooperative entrepreneurship. Veera Pengal Munnetra Sangam, registered in April 2024 and currently comprising about 400 women auto drivers, is trying to ensure better working conditions and monetary benefits for its members. It also helps us get loans.” 70% of women auto drivers in Chennai are single parents, she adds. We are also exploring options to tie up with rail or bus line authorities,” he says, adding, “Very few people in Chennai know this group exists — whenever someone spots them, the first question is: ‘Oh, so women drive autos in Chennai?’ We are trying to be more visible and highlight their lives and aspirations.”
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