Meet India’s First Transgender Uber Driver
Transgender Rani Kinnar has become India's first five-star-rated cab driver for Uber.
Earlier, we had told you that we will bring to you the stories of transgenders who are first in their fields. So, today we bring to you the life story of India’s first Transgender Driver. Rani Kinnar made history by becoming India’s first trans cab driver for Uber. She has a five star rating on the app. As you all know, Uber is a multinational transport company. Her real name is Bimal Kumar Nayak. Now people know her as Rani Maa. She is 39-year-old. Rani originally hails from Khuntabandha village, in Deogarh district of Odisha. Rani has a father, mother and brother. Initially, her family refused to accept her as a third gender. Later, they accepted her and also started loving her. Rani came to Bhubaneswar in 1999 in search of work. She did menial jobs to sustain herself. Then she joined the transgender community 10 - 12 years ago. Rani’s life was not easy but she broke all barriers and refused to beg at railway stations and traffic signals. In 2016, Rani and another transgender, Menaka Kinnar, drove an auto-rickshaw. She said, “But at that time, everyone avoided sitting in our auto because we are transgenders.
“In 2017, she voluntarily provided some free service. She took the ambulance of Nayapalli Durga Puja Committee to Puri during Rath Yatra and helped pilgrims there. Rani was introduced to the ‘world of cab driving’ by an ex-Uber employee. He also belonged to the LGBTQ community. He motivated Rani to join the firm as a driver. Rani then applied to Uber and passed the interview with flying colours. Sharing her experience of how she took up driving an app cab, Rani said, “Uber gave me free training and also helped me to get the license.” She initially drove a rented cab. Rani had visited many banks for a loan, but they all refused to help. But later the ex-Uber employee gave Rani Rs 1.8 lakh in donation to buy a cab and she collected some money and bought a car. Rani said, “Especially, women feel very safe riding with me while they are travelling during late hours in comparison to male drivers who seem risky. They love me a lot.”
Earlier people of her village used to tease her and call me ‘chhaka’. But after her success, they now call to congratulate her. It is also reported that Uber has also given Rani an offer to visit the USA. Today, Rani is inspiring more people from her community to earn their own source of income with their heads held high.
Snehashree Kinnar who is another member of the trans community in Odisha said, “By seeing Rani ma’am, I have become her follower and want to become a driver myself.” Seeing these inspirational stories shows that our country is gradually changing and we hope that everyone is treated equally and respectfully.
