KOLLAM: The girl who rides her father's bullet to college, on her days off, wears khaki and grabs the steering wheel of the bus. Part-time driver work is not due to poverty, but to earn money for education and other needs including clothing. Wages are Rs 850 per day.

CHAVARA: 25-year-old Rupa is the driver of Anjus bus on the Elampalloor route. She is studying PG Diploma in Hospital Administration at Kollam HRD Centre. Attending classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Driver on other days. Rupa is the eldest daughter of CBI officer Pradeep and Suma of Kollam Keralapuram Thekevilla house. She was thrilled of driving from a young age. She obtained her driving license while studying for her degree at SN Women's College, Kollam. Got a heavy license last year. She took up the temporary driving job in early February. Duty 7 am to 7 pm.

Father paid the first installment fee for the one-year diploma. It was decided then that the money for all the subsequent expenses should be found by working. When the matter was told at home, the parents agreed. It was the father who got the job done by his friend, the bus owner.

When returning at night after driving, essential household items are also bought. Sometimes a small amount is given to father and mother. Studies are at night after day work. High school education at Keralapuram School. Plus Two in TKM School. Degree in Economics from Kollam SN College. Followed by one-year civil service training in Thiruvananthapuram. Meanwhile, she passed a correspondence course for MA in English from Coimbatore Bharatiyar University.

'Girls must stand on their own two feet. Don't depend on your parents for everything.'

PS Rupa