Maya Devi, Ludhiana’s sole female porter, finds herself reluctantly engaging in the arduous task of carrying heavy luggage for a living. This decision was not the career path she had originally envisioned for herself, but circumstances forced her hand. Maya’s life took an unfortunate turn when her husband, Ram Kumar, a licensed railway porter at the Ludhiana railway station, passed away suddenly in April of this year. Since that tragic event, her life has never been the same.
Maya, now 40 years old, stoically accepts her fate, stating, “Perhaps this is my destiny, to pick up the pieces where my late husband left off.” Maya’s city, Ludhiana, has no other female porters, making her the lone exception. Hard physical labor like this was never part of her plans. To become a porter, one has to endure rigorous physical tests to obtain a license. Maya and Ram Kumar got married thirteen years ago in Redau village in Sonepat district of Haryana. They resided in a house owned by Ram Kumar near the Jagraon bridge. The couple had a 12-year-old son named Guarav.
The initial shock of her husband’s death shattered Maya’s world, but she soon gathered strength and decided to carry on, not just for herself, but for the sake of her son. Maya’s late husband had cherished dreams for their son, and she is determined to make them a reality. Maya wants Guarav to receive an education and achieve great things. If it means enduring hard physical work for long hours on the bustling platforms of Ludhiana, then Maya believes all the suffering she has endured over the past six months will be worth it.
Maya’s goal is to provide her son with a solid education, ensuring he can stand on his own feet and create a successful future for himself. She finds satisfaction in being a devoted mother, honoring her husband’s wishes in the process. Although Maya only started working as a porter in November, any fears or doubts she initially had when approaching passengers has transformed into a visible sense of confidence. Nevertheless, for regular passengers, the sight of a woman carrying heavy luggage remains a strange one.
Becoming a luggage porter is not an easily obtainable job. It requires passing a rigorous physical test to obtain an official license. Senior divisional commercial manager MM Singh emphasizes that there is no gender bias when it comes to recruiting female porters. However, for reasons unknown, women do not come forward for these positions. While some women did appear and pass the fitness test during the recruitment process, none of them showed up for the final recruitment.
It is worth noting that the railway officials did not offer Maya the job out of sympathy or on compassionate grounds. She had to pass the same tests and go through the same recruitment procedures as any other candidate. Maya now finds herself carrying on her late husband’s legacy in the railway station, determined to provide her son with an education. Despite the challenges and the curious looks she receives, Maya remains focused on her goal and stands as a symbol of strength and dedication.
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