Rajeshwari’s never give up attitude makes her first lady to be appointed as driver in govt service

GANGTOK, 29 June: The first lady driver to be appointed on Government service, Rajeshwari Rai, is a 30-year-old mother of a two-and-half-year old child and hails from Sawney, West Pendam near Singtam.
“Today, I realized that consistency and hard work eventually yield fruitful results in life,” said Rajeshawari, who was here at the Forest Secretariat to sign a memorandum with the Department of Forests Environment and Wildlife Management, where, she will now work as a driver.

“Being a graduate, I was frustrated till the day before on not having found employment, but now I am happy because I have a government job,” she said.
She shares that despite sitting for several interviews and exams, her name never appeared in the final lists.
“In the year 2002, I learned driving out of interest at a private driving institute and secured a driving license,” she said. On the career front, out of frustration, she even went to Singapore and worked as a casual worker there for a year. But that was not a satisfying job.
Rajeshwari then saw an advertisement announcing vacancies for drivers in the Forest Department which were also open for women candidates.
“I then decided that this would be my final attempt at landing a government job and thankfully I got through,” she said.
Regarding future challenges, she said, “I am ready to face all challenges because I have built up courage to face all challenges.”
Rajeshwari, who did her secondary and senior secondary level schooling from Shyaple Government Senior Secondary School in West Pendam, completed her graduation from Kolkata.
According to a Forest official, out of the 10 posts open for drivers, three were reserved for women candidates falling under ST, OBC and MBC categories.
“One woman candidate each from OBC and MBC had applied for the post but the OBC candidate could not clear the written examination,” said the official adding, “Rajeshwari did well in all the tests and is now appointed with the Department.”
“Never give up. If you fail once, try again. The good days are always waiting you,” this is the message Rajeshwari wants to share with the ladies of the State.