Tata is one such brand that has its presence in almost every sector. Popularity of this brand is increasing every day and the brand is close to every customer’s heart. The automobile sector from Tata is home grown and the vehicles range from the cheapest car to the expensive ones.
India is huge country where women empowerment is a casual term thrown around with no arbitrary effect. Although it is imperative to prioritize on the importance of safety among women, it is one of the reasons of growing concern. There have been plenty of cases of rapes, molestation, manhandling and everything that could possible go wrong with the opposite gender due to the lack in safety standards and the problem that women face in India. Many NGO’s and similar organizations have tried their best to bring women empowerment into the picture. Well RaGa tried it too (I hope he knows what the term really means) but there has been no change.
Owing to safety of women, Tata has introduces the Veerangana Express. It sounds more like a train but, this is a four-wheeled rickshaw and the best part is that this is a cab service for women. This initiative took its first move in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Tata Motors in collaboration with Laxmibai Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank and SGS motors in Gwalior have partnered up for this initiative. The cab service has been initiated for women and will be managed by women, which will ply within the Municipal limits in Gwalior.
Speaking on this initiative, K Sanjeeva Rao, Regional Sales Manager, SCV- Passenger, Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors, “We are delighted to associate with Veerangana Express, a unique customer focused service aimed at supporting women commuters by women operators with one of our best solutions in last mile public transport- the Tata Magic Iris. It will not only provide a safe, comfortable and convenient commuting option for all women customers but with its car-like easy driving dynamics, women will find it very easy to maneuver.”
Alka Srivastava, Founder, Laxmibai Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank, said, “Women Empowerment has been our organisation’s sole focus and through ‘Veerangana Express’ we will come closer to our vision of seeing more self-independent women in our society. We are glad that all government authorities and Tata Motors through its channel partner, SGS Motors, are supporting this initiative. We hope the Veerangana Pink Cabs, which is for the women, by the women, will further encourage women, without having to worry about their commuting woes”.
Veerangana Express:
Initially, a total of eight, diesel-powered, Tata Magic Iris auto-rickshaws have been introduced under this scheme, which is expected to increase over a period of time. These auto-rickshaws, pink and white in color, will be driven by women drivers, trained by SGS Motors that is an authorized dealer of Tata Motors. These vehicles come Equipped with GPS (vehicle tracking system), the Veerangana Express will use the company’s four-wheeler Tata Magic Iris.
The Veerangana Express is an affordable, comfortable, convenient and safe cab service for women, by women in Gwalior. Keeping that in mind Tata has equipped the Magic Iris, with a special GPS vehicle tracking system. Additionally Tata says that women will also find the Magic Iris easy to maneuver with its easy car-like driving dynamics. Moreover the vehicle is claimed to be equipped with several other convenience features and will offer best-in-class operator economics, thus generating high savings and profits for the vehicle owners. This service is being assisted by the district industrial centre by way of 30 percent subsidy (on-road price) under the “Mukhya Mantri Swarojgar Yojana” which is an initiative by the Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh.
Veerangana Express has been provided auto-rickshaw permits by the transport department will ply near girls school and college, girls hostels, etc within municipal limits in Gwalior.
Tata Motors has also partnered with a customer in Bhopal to run a similar service called, Shakti Express with 10 Tata Magic Iris. The company is also in discussion with authorities in Indore to introduce this vehicle, under the programme, Ahilya Express service.
Tata Magic Iris:
With a tagline, “Public Transport Ka Ek Naya Avatar” Tata introduced the Magic Iris, a micro van that was manufactured as a passenger vehicle. The 5-seater Iris catches up to a maximum speed of 55 kmph. It comes powered by a 11 hp powered diesel engine that takes a head on challenge with auto rickshaws. This 611 cc engine powered vehicle has 31 Nm torque and carries a Diesel power train. It is operated by 4-speed manual transmission and has a capacity of 10 liters.
Bottom Line:
Veerangana express is surely a great initiative that promotes women empowerment in a different manner. Team Turbozens in their high spirits support this initiative as well. We hope you find this service interesting too?