First in Sikkim from SIKKIM EXPRESS GANGTOK, March 6: Driving along the busy streets of Gangtok, Sikkim’s first woman taxi driver today said she was happy to be at par with men, who have been dominating the profession so far. A 44-year-old Dawa Phutti Bhutia, hailing from Pangthang in East Sikkim, has earned the rare feat of becoming the first woman taxi driver in the State. Daughter of Ugyen Dorjee Lepcha and Late Phungchung Lepcha, Ms Bhutia, debuted taxi driving on March 3. “It has been more than a year since the State Government had approved woman taxi drivers in the State, but sadly, no woman came forward to take advantage of this great opportunity. So I took the initiative, which I am sure will serve as an encouragement to other Sikkimese women to come forward and take up this profession,” the owner of SK 04-8670 says with a smile. Asked how she felt driving a taxi, she said, “I...
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