Shanti Devi

#50/100 in #100extraordinarywomen

I am completing the half-century of this pact on International Women’s Day today and yet it is completely coincidental. So, I share today the story of a very ordinary woman who is absolutely extraordinary though, much like all of us.

In Asia's largest truck halt point - Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar (SGTN) - lies a small tea shop, alongside which is an automobile workshop. Shanti Devi, a 55-year-old woman is the one who co-owns both the shops with her husband. Working about 12 hours a day, she is one of the mechanics for the trucks that pile outside their workshop waiting to get a puncture fixed. Shanti Devi is the very first truck mechanic in India and has been working for over 20 years now! "I learnt all about automobiles and changing tyres by watching my husband and other mechanics while they were working. Today, I know that I am a better mechanic than many men and prove it through my work every day. I believe a woman can do any job if she has a passion for it. Men still look at me with surprise and interest as I go about my job." 

Originally from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh Shanti Devi now resides at Delhi, in a “50 Gaj” house made by her and her husband. Along with her husband – Ram Bahadur she works at Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar Depot as a truck mechanic. Both in their mid fifty, they first started a tea stall for their livelihood. Unable to meet ends, Ram started working as a truck mechanic, repairing tyres, changing tyres and fixing punctures. This is Shanti Devi’s second marriage and they have eight children. To feed the family she joined the works of repairing and fixing tyres. She did not take any formal training on this but just by seeing her husband and other workers learned all this.

On the first instance she seems to be a saree clad, simple village woman, but when she starts operating with heavy tools and tyres weighing almost 50kg, it seems that she is a specialist in it. When she started this “man dominated” job nobody believed that she will be able to continue. SGTN is spread over an area of more than 75 acres and is reportedly the largest trucking stopover point in Asia. Over 70,000 trucks are parked here at any given time and around 20,000 trucks pass by every day. After so many years, and so much media attention now, she’s been taken seriously and their workshop gets good customers.

Despite her proficiency, there are times when she is not considered good enough for the job. Drivers often hesitate in trusting her, but her work dispels all their doubts. “They believe that I will not be able to do it. Some even offer to lend a helping hand. When they see that I am quite capable at lifting and moving heavy tyres with ease on my own, they give me a reassuring, although perhaps slightly sheepish smile. I have earned their respect and have developed a healthy relationship with regular customers,” she says. 

Born to poor parents in Madhya Pradesh, Shanti Devi had always taken up odd jobs to support herself and her family. So, being recognised as India's only female truck mechanic is a matter of pride for her. She claims that her husband is very friendly with her and they work cordially to earn their family’s livelihood. Though she has a feminine heart, she loves wearing Saree and matching blouse, glass bangles and loves to put nail polish as well, but she is a tough lady and has that mettle. This toughness has given her the name and fame and off course added the source of income. "I love my job. It's hard, but I'd be bored if I sat at home and did nothing," Shanti explained in an interview with Gulf News. "Looking back, I can say that it has been an absolutely worthwhile experience. It does not bother me when people say that I must be one of the only female truck mechanics in India - I am proud of this," she added.

To choose this career was her own choice, so that she could be a breadwinner for her family. But this unique choice of hers has made her win tonnes of appreciation from across the country. Females like Shanti Devi are an inspiration and are the “torch bearers”. They tell us that anything and everything is possible irrespective of gender. Society has to accept this fact and, as individuals, one need to take this responsibility to make a change.

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