The Mahindra Transport Excellence Awards was instituted close to a decade back when the Mahindra Group entered the Heavy Commercials Vehicles segment, through Mahindra Truck & Bus (MTB). The market then, and even now is dominated by TATA Motors and Ashok Leyland. As a challenger brand Mahindra was faced with a difficult task. To build affinity with transporters the awards were instituted. Transporters too like truck drivers have self-esteem issues. The awards give them recognition and help build self-worth.
The categories and whole process of identifying winners makes it worth the while for transporters. The winners are given the awards at a function in Delhi attended by the union minister for transport and Anand Mahindra. The screening for the awards is rigorous and professional, and audited by EY. There are various categories – business outperformance, youth transporter of the year, lady transporter of the year, last mile delivery etc. Those wishing to participate, complete a form which helps build a case for them. Basis this companies are short listed for every category, and then invited to present before a jury. Basis the jury’s evaluation winners are identified after screening by EY.
I have been a member of the jury from the 2nd year of the awards being instituted. When Mahindra first invited me to be a jury member, I wasn’t sure. Despite my company MarketVistas doing work in the commercial vehicle space, I wasn’t sure whether I would relate to things. Never the less, I decided to go. And I must admit I greatly enjoyed and learnt from what I saw and heard! Human stories that touch you and help you learn and appreciate what you have. I am going to share 3 stories that have touched me deeply. There are many more that I can narrate though.
The first inspirational story is about Yogita Raghuvanshi, India’s First Lady truck driver! Yes that’s right, first woman truck driver! A lawyer by profession, she and her family were tricked into her marrying this man who was also supposed to be a lawyer. After the marriage she got to know he was poorly educated. Not just that, when he died (and she was young in her thirties) leaving her to fend for herself and her kids, when her in-laws threw her out of their home. She felt it was too late to start practicing as a lawyer and decided that getting into her husband’s transport business was a better option. And she became a truck driver! She has been driving a truck for more than 15 years now. I met her some years back at the awards function when Mahindra gave her a special award. I was taken aback when I saw her. A small built, petite woman! But what courage and determination! To drive a truck and on the highways which seem so unsafe! Reminded me how privileged I am, and so fortunate to have a comfortable life!
The second inspirational story is of Pyaare Khan. His transport business has a turnover of Rs. 200 crore and a couple of years back, was likely to double his turnover, with long term contracts with large companies. What’s interesting is his journey to getting here! He started out as an auto rickshaw driver. Felt he should do more and wanted to look at the possibility of running a petrol pump. That required at least a ‘matric pass’ as Pyare Khan said. And he was ‘Matric fail’. Not one to give up, he decided to go back to school to complete his 10th. The students he said, were shocked to see him. He sat for the exams and thought he would get through. But when the results were announced, his was withheld. When he checked, he was told the board was not sure if he was actually the one who took the exams. When his results were announced he found he had failed. Not one to give up, he took the exams again the following year and cleared. After a few years of running the pump, he decided he wanted to get into the transport business. He approached several banks for a loan without much luck. Finally, one bank manager took the risk, and from one truck he now has more than 200 trucks. And additionally picks up trucks from the market for his business. What a success story! What enterprise! What determination! And what humility!
My last story reminded me that we are still a patriarchal society! The ‘Lady Transporter of the year’ was instituted to encourage women who work in an industry dominated by males. While there has been chopping and changing of awards, the lady transporter of the year has remained from the first year of the awards. A couple of years back there was a young girl who was short listed for the lady transporter of the year award, and came to present her case. She was around 25 years then. Soon after she completed her graduation, she joined her father’s transport business. She started from scratch. Identified what she saw as problems/areas to improve. Worked on solutions, implemented them and in her presentation to the jury, demonstrated how she had helped bring efficiencies in the
system and it’s impact on business performance. Confident, articulate and someone who knew the business, she floored all the jury members. Towards the end of the presentation we asked her what next for her, and where she sees herself in the business a couple of years later. We were all shocked to hear what she said… she told us she was getting married and would be leaving her father’s business. She also said that her parents brought her up saying the business is for her brother. That, she could work in the business till she got married, but it was her brother who would inherit the business. And that if she wants to work she could figure out something with her husband and in-laws. Only reiterated that we still are a patriarchal society. And secondly the conditioning of girls when growing up.
These inspirational real life stories, teach us that:
- It is important to be grateful for what we have
- Determination and perseverance will pay off
- And for all the girls out there – Do not ever give up