Meet the three women Ola drivers who are driving their dreams across India

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we decided to profile three women Ola drivers who have braved the odds, followed their passion and did not give up when times were tough.

These three women are a beacon of inspiration for the rest of us. Whenever you feel like it couldn’t get worse, remember you can either be the person who feels sorry for yourself or you can work harder to ensure you achieve what you have been dreaming for, irrespective of the challenges.

1. Shantham R, Ola driver-partner, Bengaluru

At the age of 58, when most people think of retirement, Shantham thought of turning into a new leaf by letting her entrepreneurial spirit take wings. Coming from a modest upbringing, life threw her a challenge when her daughter passed away soon after giving birth to her grandson.

Though, she and her husband decided to take the onus of takingcare of their grandson, they were however battling immense financial constraints.

Shantham’s determination to ensure that her grandson gets the best education opportunities led her to joining Ola.

Today, she owns an Ola Auto and is in the position to earn and save more than she did in her previous job. She has been successful in saving about two-thirds of her income till now.

She also has a word of advice for everyone. “The world is yours to conquer. Go ahead, and work towards your dream!”

2. Ganga Reddy Venkataapa, Ola driver-partner, Bengaluru


After working as a teacher for the past 15 years, Ganga took the bold step of quitting her job to follow her passion for driving. The fact that she could work on her terms is what motivated her to join Ola.

Even though she’d thought teaching would be an onvious career choice for her, considering she studied B. Com and B.Ed, she never quite enjoyed it.

Apart from the flexible work-timings and self-reliance, her family’s support and her friends’ advice regarding the benefits of the platform pushed her towards becoming a driver-partner with Ola.

Now, she is able to spend more time with her husband, who works in the Indian Railways and her son and daughter, who study in the 7th and 9th standard respectively and earn more money than she was previously earning at the same time.

3. Pinky, Ola driver-partner, Delhi

Life has posed Pinky many a hurdles but she hasn’t let that get to her and has always believed in the saying ‘Let the possibilities inspire you more than the obstacles.’

After the demise of her husband, Pinky had no time to grieve as she was left to fend for her family all alone. Not one to lose courage, Pinky quit her job as a driver with Airport Taxi, where she has been working for years- as it did little to help her financially and joined Ola in a bid to give her family a better quality of life.

She’s been associated with Ola since the last year and now doesn’t only earn more than enough to support her family and ensure her three children get the best education possible.

She not only takes pride in being member of the Ola family but has also been encouraging more and more women to take charge of their lives rather than succumbing to the unfortunate circumstances life throws at them.