India, Oct. 26 -- The meeting between Smt. Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, and Subhalaxmi Mahananda, Odisha's first woman electric-bus driver from Keonjhar district, brought a human perspective to Odisha's efforts to make public transport more inclusive. Their interaction highlighted two aspects of the change: the role of administrators in creating opportunities and the determination of women who step forward to make use of them.

Mahananda's journey from Keonjhar to the driver's seat of an electric Ama Bus reflects the possibilities that can emerge when training, institutional support and livelihood opportunities come together. Her presence on the road also offers a visible example to youn...