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Bhairavi
Manufacturing Quality Assurance Associate,
Ola Futurefactory
“Call it fate, or just dumb luck… On my very first day at Ola, I discovered my passion. I was this wide-eyed 19-year-old girl, who had just graduated with a diploma in Electrical Engineering and was just happy being overwhelmed by everything around her.
I couldn’t believe that I had a job! And I will never forget that first day at work. It shaped my life. On day one, we were all called in by the manager at the General Assembly ward who explained all the formalities, rules, and regulations. In his orientation, he asked, ‘Who amongst you can ride a scooter?’ Now I’ll be honest.
"Until that day, the only two-wheeler I had ever ridden was a cycle; and that too only in the narrow lanes of my village. I didn’t know a thing about scooters. But in that moment, I was bursting with unfamiliar courage. I thought, ‘How hard could it be?’"
Before I could second-guess myself, my hand shot up in the air—almost by its own accord.
I felt every head turn my way. All eyes were on me… I could actually hear them wonder, ‘How will she do it?
She looks so small.’ Some people voiced their concern, saying, ‘You will balance na?’ or ‘Make sure you don’t fall!’
But the courage in me only kept growing stronger with every passing second. I replied to their concerns with my confident smile. I said, ‘Of course, I can do it!’ and proceeded to the scooter that was awaiting its test rider - me.
I got on to it looking less self-assured than I felt; still aware of the concerned eyes that followed my every move. As I clutched the handle bars, I felt the jitters for a brief moment, but it all faded away the instant I accelerated —not as if it was my first time, but as if it was the hundredth.
As the wind hit my face, funnelled through the vents in my helmet, it ignited in me something I had never felt before. I felt invincible—free as a bird! My passion had found me. Or maybe it was always waiting, and I found it.
That was a year and a half ago. I am still here, working as a test rider. Each day, I wake up with the widest smile knowing that I am making a living out of something that makes me feel free.
"You cannot put a price on that!”"
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