Tshering Doma showing the way for women taxi drivers

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI,: The driver’s seat of a taxi remains an almost exclusively male domain but Tshering Doma Sherpa from Gangtok in Sikkim has running the wheels since last 12 years to make a difference.
Tshering Doma faced several several challenges while driving her taxi from Sikkim to Siliguri and Bagdogra airport but never gave up. She drops and picks passengers from Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Bagdogra airport and Siliguri.
“Woman should always be strong willed to make the way. If women feel that they are weak and can't do the job, they will always remain dominated. Women's duty is not to handle kitchen and household works only, they can also earn to support their husbands,” said Tshering Doma.
Doma’s husband is also a cab driver from Soreng, west district who supported her in her livelihood decision. The couple has two children.
Some of the passengers who lands at Bagdogra airport choose to take Tshering Doma’s to support her morally and economically.
Ashish Shrestha was one passenger waiting for Tshering Doma to pick him up from Bagdogra airport.
“I opt to take her taxi because I am comfortable with her driving. I had taken a ride in her taxi one year ago,” said Ashish.