Raised by a single mother, supported by her husband. How a Bengaluru woman found independence as an auto driver. Now, she teaches women to drive for free.

Resilience often emerges when life presents unexpected challenges, forcing people to adapt, persevere and find strength within themselves. It is the ability to overcome setbacks, embrace new opportunities and keep moving forward despite uncertainty. With courage, determination and the right support, difficult circumstances can become stepping stones towards independence, confidence and purpose. Such is the story of this Bengaluru woman, Jancy BV, who found freedom and independence by driving her auto in the city. But the credit for her strength goes to her mother and her husband.

Bengaluru woman’s journey from family hardship to driving independence

According to a report by the Times of India, Jancy BV, raised in Bannerghatta, faced numerous challenges while growing up. At 10, she lost her father, who was a lorry driver, while her mother was left with the responsibility of raising her. Inspired by her father’s profession, Jancy also wanted to take up driving as a profession.

Financial constraints, however, forced Jancy BV to take up tailoring as her first job, reported The Better India. Things changed when she met her husband Vinod, who had an autorickshaw business. But after the COVID-19 pandemic, the business received a major blow and forced the couple to run a tea stall to repay the vehicle loan. One day, an idea struck Vinod. He asked Jancy whether she would like to drive an autorickshaw and the answer was yes.

Turning personal success into women’s empowerment

Despite resistance from family and friends, Vinod stood by his wife like a pillar of support and trained Jancy how to manoeuvre the auto. After a few months, she started taking professional rides and earned Rs 700, reported The Better India. Later, Jancy obtained a commercial driving licence and joined Uber. Although the auto has become her best friend, Jancy revealed that it was her decision to marry Vinod that made everything possible.

“Marrying him has been the best thing in my life so far. He protects and supports me like a king,” Jancy told Times of India. In 2021, her journey took a new turn when she was invited to an event at the Indiranagar Regional Transport Office. She was quick to recognise a gap that many women wanted to work but lacked guidance or opportunity. Jancy decided to help them. So, she trained as many as 50 women in Bengaluru, offering free driving lessons.

Bengaluru auto driver’s mission

Much like her own life, Jancy’s aim is not financial gain, but to allow independence to the women who are confined to household work or low-paying jobs. Jancy told The Better India that when she watches these women drive and earn, her heart swells with pride as she knows that these women are finally ‘standing on their own feet’ and that’s true independence.