GHAZIABAD: Draped in a light brown shawl, Rajkumari, 80, displays the confidence of a skilled and seasoned driver. And with good reason — the octogenarian, who drove a tractor all the way from Muradnagar to the UP Gate protest site on Thursday, has had practice for 26 years now.
“I have received no formal training and learnt to drive a tractor on my own,” she tells TOI.
Rajkumari hails from Dhindar village in Muradnagar’s Jalalpur, where she owns about 26 acres of land. She manages her household alone. “My husband Sukhpal Singh was an agriculture officer who died five years ago. Since then, I have been handling my farm land,” Rajkumari says, adding that she often tills land and transports crops.
The woman farmer says nothing could have stopped her from visiting the UP Gate protest site. “I was determined to come and show my support for (BKU leader) Rakesh Tikait, who has been fighting for farmers’ rights. Even the inclement weather could not deter me,” she adds.
When this reporter asked her if she had a driving licence, she merely chuckled and replied: “Kyun, tum policewala ho kya (are you a policeman)?”
Rajkumari has two sons and four grandchildren. Her children, she says, have often tried in the past to stop her from driving the tractor, but she tries not to pay heed – “Main unki sunti kab hoon (I don’t listen to them)”.
“My grandchildren have asked me many times not to drive anymore but I tell them that there is a lot of strength left in me,” she says happily.
The 50km drive understandably left Rajkumari tired though. After returning to her village in Muradnagar, she admitted that she was feeling a “bit sick”.
Rajkumari has been a public figure of sorts in her village. In 1995, she was the village pradhan and contested the zila panchayat elections twice. “I command a lot of respect in my village. I don’t understand politics but have a strong desire to work for my people,” she says.