By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy

Panaji: Delisha Davis says nothing is impossible for those willing to learn and confront inconveniences.

The 23-year-old woman with a Master’s degree in Commerce, holds a license to drive Heavy and Hazardous Goods tanker from Kochi to Malappuram, 300 km, five days a week.

“Practice makes us perfect. Even if people pass sarcastic remarks about you because you are a girl, we should never be discouraged. Do not mind what others say,” she says with a smile, her father standing by her side.

She explains how she was initiated into driving. “I used to wait for my Dad, a heavy vehicle driver coming home late at night. I would direct him to the parking area. In the morning I helped him wash the lorry, check the oil and battery. Knowing my interest he began to take me with him in the lorry. I was very much interested in the vehicle and in driving.”

Seeing her interest, her father agreed to teach her driving. “In the beginning it was a challenge. My father had 40 years of experience. Now my friends are amazed at what I am doing,” she smiled.

During the training she was told that it was risky driving a petrol tanker. “They asked me if it was only for a show,” Davis recalled the days during her training; “They did not believe that I was really interested. It is my passion; I want to take loads regularly.”

Davis began her driving three years ago. But she was only noticed during the lockdown in 2020 while taking trips between refinery at Irumpanam in Kochi to Tirur in Malappuram.

About her training she explains. “We need to know how to face obstacles we may meet suddenly on the way. Suppose we are stopping at a steep road, we cannot go back. Difficulties arise not because of our mistake but it can be from the part of the vehicle behind. Any time it can catch fire as we are carrying petrol. It is a high risk factor.”

She said drivers of heavy vehicles are instructed about precautions in case of fire. “The teachers carefully instruct us until we are thorough with the needed information and knowledge: What are the circumstances that can bring fire; how to put off the fire if it happens, whom should we inform; and what we should do if there is leakage.”

She passed the exam without delay because she had learned much from her father already.

Davis, who plans to do M Phil, is confident that she can manage both. She is the second among three girls in the family.

Her father, who is her support all along says, “She was interested as a child and learned to drive the two-wheeler and four-wheeler. When I reach at night, she would come alone to pick me up at any part of the night. When we take loads, we start our day around at 3 am. She is ever willing. I am proud of her.”

Davis shares her challenges as a woman in the field of men; “When people see in the rear mirror that a lady is driving they go in front and stop with a sudden break. It is very risky. I am in a truck. It can even catch fire. But they do not think of that. Sometimes they will honk from behind. They give bad words. I overcame all of it. Nothing stops me.”

With her dad as helper on her trips she has nothing to fear.

Davis is keen on driving Kerala State Transport Bus and Volvo buses. “I am trying to get the license,” she added.