Kerala homemaker-turned-truck driver explores India from behind the wheel

Ratheesh, a native of Kottayam Ettumanoor, used to share with his wife Jalaja detailed stories of his truck journeys across India and the sights he had seen. When she expressed her desire to experience the same, Ratheesh jokingly replied that if she could drive a lorry, she could travel anywhere in India. What began as a joke turned into reality when Jalaja accepted the challenge with enthusiasm. Today, Jalaja is the main driver for Ettumanoor Puthettu Travels. There are very few places in India where this homemaker-turned-driving enthusiast hasn't travelled yet. Jalaja obtained her driving license ten years ago and began her journey as a heavy vehicle driver in 2018. Her first trip was to Mumbai, but her dream trip came in 2022, driving with a load of plywood from a factory in Perumbavoor to Srinagar, Kashmir. Her husband Ratheesh and a relative accompanied her on the truck. Jalaja’s very life is her response to those who claim that it is unsafe for women to travel outside Kerala.

"I have travelled extensively in lorries outside Kerala but have never had a bad experience. Everyone behaved very politely, probably because I had others with me. In our society, lorry driving is often viewed negatively due to the way it is portrayed in movies and media. Lorry drivers are frequently depicted as cruel characters, but in reality, they are not like that. Every profession has its share of good and bad people. In foreign countries, truck driving is a respected profession, just like any other. I hope that this mindset will change here as well," Jalaja says.

The challenges
Though Jalaja started driving lorries out of her love for travel, she faced many challenges as a lorry driver. Bathroom facilities are not always available at places, and she has to stay away from home for days and is often unable to eat meals on time. But despite these hindrances, she enjoys seeing the sights from the lorry seat. The truck's slower speed and elevated driving seat offer a better view, and the air-conditioned cabin and sleeping facilities make the journey comfortable. “The great thing is that I was able to fulfil my desire even though there were minor difficulties”, she says.

Vlog inspires more travel
Jalaja started a vlog to share her journeys and the sights she sees. The vlog received a positive response from the audience, inspiring many people who had been hesitant to drive despite having a licence, to take to the wheel. Now, wherever she goes, people recognize her and start conversations. "Isn’t that amazing?" Jalaja says. The support from her viewers motivated her to create more videos.
A family in love with lorry travel
Jalaja is no longer the only woman driver in the family. Her daughter Devika and her sister Surya also drive the lorry. They joined her as drivers on a recent trip during the vacation. Later, during a trip to Lucknow, Jalaja and her daughter were the main drivers. The entire family, from young children to the elderly mother, now enjoys travelling in the lorry. Jalaja prefers driving at night. On the way to Shillong, her daughter drove through the night, allowing Jalaja to take over during the day. Family trips in the lorry are full of fun, with everyone enjoying the sights and sounds of the country amidst laughter and play, she says.

India beckons
Jalaja has driven the lorry through 22 States and 6 Union Territories of India. Each place offers unique experiences, allowing her to learn about the local life, food, and customs. Now, she hopes to visit places like Tripura, Nagaland, and Manipur. They haven’t yet transported loads to these destinations, as they usually receive orders for these areas while they are on the way to other places. So far, they have travelled as far as Meghalaya and Assam. "It is my dream to see the rest of the country as well," Jalaja says.