Meet M Veeralakshmi, India’s 1st Female Ambulance Driver, Leading By Example

Tamil Nadu has made a significant milestone in promoting gender inclusivity in its workforce by appointing M Viralakshmi as the first female Ambulance Driver in the state and the entire nation. The 30-year-old had previously worked as a taxi driver in Chennai for three years before landing this remarkable position, as stated by the state government.

Born and raised in Theni, Viralakshmi moved to Chennai with her husband nearly ten years ago. Her husband was already working as a driver and she accompanied him on some occasions, learning about the profession and its mechanisms through observation. Veeralakshmi gained valuable insights and knowledge from this experience.

Defying stereotypes, she defied standards when she was officially appointed to the job of female ambulance driver on August 31, 2020, in a ceremony at the Secretariat. Interestingly, she reached out to ANEW, a women’s welfare association in Anna Nagar, just four years ago, looking for job opportunities. Her journey from seeking help to becoming the first female ambulance driver in the country is truly inspiring.

Veeralakshmi shared that ANEW offers vocational training and employment support to women. Intrigued by this opportunity, she enrolls herself in their driving course. Her confidence stems from observing her husband’s leadership, which has given her the belief that she can excel in this profession. Her determination and previous experience were vital in her journey to become the first female ambulance driver in the country and the nation.

Besides, the Kerala government has also taken an important step towards gender inclusion by hiring a female ambulance driver in the emergency medical response network. This appointment marks a significant milestone in promoting women’s participation and representation in critical roles within the state’s health care system.

In a significant event, Digamul, who hails from Kottayam district, was presented by State Health Minister Veena George with the key to an ambulance as part of the Ministry of Health’s trauma care project, ‘KANIV-108’ (Kerala Ambulance Network for Injured Victims). Dipamol, a skilled and experienced female driver with a diverse background in handling various vehicles, has been appointed as the network’s first female ambulance driver. The minister expressed the government’s commitment to appointing more women as ambulance drivers in different regions under the KANIV-108 project, thus promoting diversity and gender inclusiveness in the healthcare sector.