Cuttack Girl Breaks Gender Stereotypes; Delivers Food To Support Family, Herself

Bhubaneswar: If you have the will, there’s a way.

When the second wave of COVID-19 hit India, 18-year-old Bishnupriya Swain’s family faced a financial crisis as her father suffered huge losses in his transport business.

A bright Plus II Science student studying in Shailabala Women’s College in Cuttack, Bishnupriya decided to step in and support her family. She joined Zomato as a delivery executive and has been delivering food for the past 18 days.

“My family has five members — parents, me and my two sisters. I am the eldest daughter. Due to lockdown, my father faced a huge loss in his business. To support my family financially, I decided to join Zomato. Because this is one job which can be done during lockdown,” explained Bishnupriya who lives at Kathagada Sahi in Cuttack.

Her ambition is to be a doctor.

“For higher studies and to prepare for Medical entrance exams, I need money. I was in a dilemma for some days before taking this up. But keeping my ambition in mind, I decided to break gender stereotypes and joined this work,” she said.

“Like boys, we can do all work… I am not facing any problem,” said Bishnupriya.

That she knew how to ride a bike helped Bishnupriya, who devotes stays online for four to five hours daily for food delivery through Zomato.

“I am not able to give more time because I have to study hard,” she said.

Before lockdown, she was doing tuitions at home which helped her earn some money. But that has stopped now as her parents don’t want anyone in the family to contract coronavirus from any visitor.

“My parents are happy with what I’m doing now… I have to do this for myself and the family,” she signed off.