Meet Kamala Negi, AKA 'Tyre Doctor,' Who Fixes Everything From Bicycles To JCBs

Women nowadays are not only seen to be breaking age-old patriarchal doctrines but also raiding male bastions. Not only in western countries, but women in India are also shining in different sectors and all other services that have traditionally been performed by men. Despite having earned recognition in various fields, society at large still believes that women can only handle household chores and children. People who think like this should meet Kamala Negi, also known as the 'Tyree Doctor' or 'Iran Lady', an extraordinary woman who not just fixes tyres for bicycles to JCBs but also provides service to them.

Fixing flat tyres for 15 years

Working at a repair shop is generally associated with men. You don't generally see women repairing your tyres. However, Kamala from Nainital, Uttrakhand, is challenging this idea. Negi, a resident of Odakhan, Ramgarh block in Nainital, has proved that women can do any work with willpower and determination.

ETV

Kamala has been running a small shop on the Ramgarh-Mukteshwar road for 15 years, repairing flat tyres on not only cycles but also JCBs, tractors, and other large vehicles. She also provides services for bikes and cars. Not just locals, but tourists also visit her shop to fix their vehicle's flat tyre because there is no other shop nearby. Apparently, people coming to her shop were initially reluctant as they did not believe that a woman could fix flat tyres. They were shocked to see a woman lifting the heavy tyres and doing the kind of work that is traditionally done by men.

This is how it all began

It all started in 2004 when Kamala saw that children in her area were very interested in cycling. She decided to teach them to cycle. But back then, not all kids had bicycles. So she started to give them cycles on rent for just Rs 5 an hour. Dozens of children used to come to learn to ride bicycles. When children came to her with flat tyres, she used to fix the tyres quickly.

Over time, she learned to fix flat tyres on other vehicles too, from her husband, who was also the same professional back then. To maintain the financial condition of the house, she often took charge of the shop while her husband was moving around.

Mother of two fixing flat tyres

She is a mother of two children running an automobile repair shop that is open for seven days and makes a good amount of money from this business.

ETV

She has achieved expertise in the last 15 years in repairing punctures and replacing tyres. Her son serves in the BSF, and her daughter is married.

CouldnĄ¯t complete her studies

Kamala studied till 8th grade, and she wanted to study further but couldn't fulfil her dream because there was no school at the time nearby her home. She got married at the age of 18 and became a housewife.

No business is small or big

Many people think that fixing a flat tyre is small work, but no work is small or big. People used to comment, taunt, and make fun of her work, but she never cared about them and kept focusing on her work and kept supporting her husband in his shop because she believed that was also one of her responsibilities.

ETV

She is now one of the most respected people in the area. People call her Didi (Sister), while some call her Tyre Doctor. She is part of several women's organisations and inspires other women also. She is the go-to person for tyre fixing. What a remarkable journey.

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