A woman in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore city has chosen to become a conductor to fulfil her desire to wear a khaki uniform.
M. Sumathi, 28, who is the only woman conductor in about 420 government buses in the town, starts her day at 12:30 p.m. and works till 10 p.m.
She does not complain about the long working hours, and says she loves the job of issuing tickets to passengers boarding bus route number 130, which plies from Ukkadam to Gandhipuram.
"I used to participate in all kinds of sports like shot put throw, athletics, despite that I did not get qualified (in the police). Still, I was very much fascinated about wearing khaki. So, I decided to take up the job of conductor," said Sumathi.
"I do not have any inhibitions on doing this job. The bus is like my home," she added.
Sumathi, a mother of three, studied till class X and joined the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) in Coimbatore around three months ago.
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Sumathi's husband A. Murugesan, who is a carpenter by profession, supports her by looking after their children, and has been a source of inspiration.
Referred to as 'Akka' or elder sister by commuters and her colleagues, Sumathi is satisfied with her job for she is treated with dignity.
Sumathi is among the few women conductors, who make it to TNSTC as most of the women do not meet the height eligibility of 160 cm.