In 2019, Dhanmani Bora became Assam's first e-rickshaw driver and got a lot of attention on social media.?
But she doesn't just use her e-rickshaw for the sake of her survival but also is using it to serve society. Bora has tied up with an NGO to provide Covid-19 vaccines at people homes.?
Bora, who is in her mid-30s starts her day?with a non-governmental organisation to vaccinate Guwahati residents, loads the medical supplies and quickly moves to the designated area for the day. Zubeen Garg¡¯s theme song on the vaccination campaign is played over the loudspeaker in the vehicle to make people aware.?
Talking to News18, Bora said: ¡°The schedule is fixed the day before and the locality is chosen. My team includes ASHA workers and a member from the NGO. We camp at a local club or pharmacy, and operate out of the rickshaw.¡±
Proud of their achievement so far, she adds: ¡°Till now, we have vaccinated almost 2,500 people. I have visited around 30 elderly people at their residences where they were unable to come to the vaccination centres on their own.¡±
She added that in the beginning, her team faced reluctance from people. ¡°However, things have changed now. In most of the centres, there are more than 200 to 300 people daily on an average.¡±
Apart from the livelihood, the work gives Bora personal satisfaction. Expressing herself on this she remarked: ¡°It gives me an immense sense of responsibility and achievement to be part of the vaccination drive. I need to be on time as there will be people waiting for me at the dispensary and in the centres. A little delay derails the entire process.¡±
Bora started driving an e-rickshaw after trying various means of livelihood to save herself and her young children from her abusive husband.