Mid Day

Mumbai, Dec 29: There’s good news for all women who travel alone late at night. The Gold Taxis of Fulora Foundation have started hiring women drivers to cater to female customers and trained them in Judo and Karate to make the services safer.

Arun Sabnis, managing trustee of Fulora, said, “We decided to launch this service after seeing the incidents happening with women these days. All our female drivers have been trained in martial arts. They have also been groomed in etiquettes. The venture has not only elicited a positive response from female passengers, but has also attracted many applicants.” The service is likely to start in the first week of January, he added.

50 students

This job has attracted applicants from all walks of life. Rajshree Rane (19), one of the 50 college girls applied, is very excited about her new job. She said, “This job promises to be very exciting. Now, I can fight anyone who tries to mess with me.”

Mohini Kale, 28-year-old schoolteacher, said she looked on this job as social service. “I have a lot of time after work and I love to do social work. There are many women who are scared of hiring cabs with male drivers. I will feel lucky to take them home safely.”

Sarika Shinde (23), who used to work as a driver for a carpool, said, “I love driving. This is the best job for me, as I also know Judo and Karate now and can protect myself in any situation.”

They are being trained at the company’s Worli and Churchgate centres. Sahil Sabari, the martial arts teacher, said, “I am training these girls to protect themselves from any kind of attack.”

They will also be given a certificate from MTDC and Indian Tourism, so that they can work as guides as well.