Work and employment is essential for social progress, economic stability and mental well being. However, jobs in public or private sector demand high academic qualifications. In times of cut-throat competition, a mere fuel outlet in Jaipur comes as a blessing in disguise for the native residents. We’re talking about a fuel outlet located in Jaipur’s Sahakar Marg.
Today, it’s one of the highest selling petrol pump in the city, not just because it has female employees, but because it offers impeccable service to the incoming customers. This BPCL owned company outsources its operations to private employees. Retired colonel Yashwant Arora manages the retail operations of this fuel stations. Seeing the increasing number of female employees in their area, a couple of years ago, the BPCL management decided to run a special shift for women at the petrol pump.
Today, the Sahakar Marg petrol pump employees over 22 girls who work from morning to afternoon shift (6am to 2pm) every day. They don’t have regular holidays, but they’re allowed to take 4 offs per month, as per their convenience. The good thing is that all employees appointed under them have their individual bank accounts and their salary is paid via bank transfers. In simple words, all transactions are transparent.
It’s really heart-touching that that BPLC’s generous experiment has empowered the women from economically backward sections. Some of these women are the sole breadwinners of their family. In this condition, this job is no less than a blessing for their family.
Meet Kushbu Gehlot: The Woman whose Life Changed Overnight
Kushbu Gehlot is a BA second year student from Sawai Madhopur. She joined the petrol pump last month. Kushbu’s parents are labourers and they’re eight sisters including Kushbu. Five of her sisters are already married whereas two of them are studying in college. Her father passed away recently and now, her mother is the sole breadwinner of the family.
In this difficult time, Kushbu decided to relocate to her elder sister’s place in Jaipur. Here, she got to know about the petrol pump that employees women candidates. With some efforts, she got the job. She often has to move back and forth between Jaipur and Sawai Madhopur to write her exams. The money she earns from the petrol pump is sufficient to cover up her expenses and her siblings’ tuition fee.
Today, Kushbu is proud that she can support her mother. In future, when she completes her graduation, there would be better opportunities in her way. For now, she feels grateful to BPLC’s management team because she got this job when she needed it the most.
This is how the petrol pump at Sahkar Marg is changing countless lives of city natives, especially women.
