Women Working At Petrol Pump In Odisha’s Koraput: Rare Sight & Matter Of Pride

Jeypore: More and more women all over the country are proving that what men can do, women can too, sometimes even better. While all-women petrol pumps and women working at petrol pumps with men is quite common in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Odisha is not too far behind.

Basanti Matam and Mangaladei Penthia, both 22 from Koraput district work at a petrol pump for more than 12-13 hours a day to chip into the family income. They also work as student traffic volunteers (STV) when they have time.

Both the girls joined as staffers at a petrol pump on Borigumma Road recently at a monthly salary of Rs 7, 000 each. 

Basanti, a graduate, doesn’t mind working for 11-12 hours a day. Her father is a daily wager and she wanted to supplement the family income. “My father is a daily labourer. I have five other siblings including a brother. Since I am the eldest, it is my responsibility to look after them. So to meet all expenses I have started working,” said Basanti, a resident of Tanginiguda village under Baipariguda block. She is a graduate from Jeypore Women’s College and is currently preparing for her post- graduation.

Mangaldei of Tankuguda village has seven siblings and her father is a farmhand. “I couldn’t see my father working alone to run the family. I feel happy that I am able to share his responsibility, “ Mangaladei said.

As for their employer, he is happy with the two girls. “Both are sincere and hardworking. I will make them permanent in a short time,” he said.