After a successful 13-year run in the IT sector, Rajarajeshwari Kodhandapani co-founded a healthcare technology startup. She’s no stranger to the hurdles of setting up a business, but there’s one challenge that she is yet to overcome: getting a driver’s licence.
Ms. Kodhandapani lost her right forearm as a child. She has been applying for a driving licence since 2008, but in vain.
She had even bought a car in 2008, but sold it in 2011, as she never got the chance to use it. “It was very disheartening as the officials were ridiculing me while sending me back. They could have at least been courteous,” she says.
But now, she revived her efforts after learning of Indore resident Vikram Agnihotri who drives a car with his legs, as he does not have arms. To get his driver’s licence, Mr. Agnihotri had to modify his car to suit his capabilities.
‘I am as normal as anyone’
The entrepreneur does not recall a time when she had use of both her hands. Her right forearm had to be amputated when she was only three days old, as the umbilical cord was wrapped around it. But she does not see herself as disabled, as she is self-sufficient. “I have never applied for any exemption, grant or quota from the government. I am as normal as anyone. Applying for any of these would defy their belief and deter my confidence,” she says.
A driver’s licence would help achieve her goal of total self-sufficiency. Having learned how to handle a car at driving school, she’s confident of passing any test. “I had no difficulty learning how to drive,” she says. “I’d like to get a driver’s licence. I do not want to be dependent on another person, or cabs and autorickshaws all the time.”
‘Officials don’t care’
During her earlier visits to various offices of the Transport Department, officials advised Ms. Kodhandapani to modify her vehicle, but did not specify the modifications. But they rejected her case citing her inability to signal with her hand, and did not allow her to apply for a learner’s licence.
When she informed officials about circulars issued by the government on how ‘people like her’ could apply for a driver’s licence, she was asked to produce the same. “It showed that they do not care about people like me,” she says.
Ms. Kodhandapani does not want to use a prosthetic arm. “I did not feel the need, and did not want to use one merely for aesthetics,” she said.
Her latest visit was to the Electronic City RTO office earlier last week where officials offered to ‘look into’ her case.
V.S. Ugrappa, MLC, has approached various officials to pursue her case. “She can drive without any hassle. I have contacted senior officials to ensure that she gets her licence as soon as possible,” he said.