Odisha: Rani Kinnar has become India's first transgender five-star-rated cab driver for Uber, a multinational transport company. Rani stood strong, motivated and refused to beg for a livelihood in public places and footpaths.

She had suffered a setback early on in her career when she drove an auto-rickshaw in 2016. She refused to step back due to the lack of support from society as an auto driver. Then she later chose to volunteer as an ambulance driver during the holy Ratha Yatra here in Puri.

"I started driving auto in 2016, but it didn't work for me because people didn't use my auto. But in 2017, I opted to drive an ambulance during the Ratha Yatra in Puri," Rani said to a daily.

Then, Rani was introduced to the world of cab driving for multinationals by an ex-Uber employee who encouraged her to join the firm as a partner driver. She successfully cleared the interview and purchased her own car.

Rani is now inspiring people to form her community to earn their livelihood with their heads held high and to stand strongly, facing the challenges imposed by society.

"By seeing Rani ma'am, I have become her follower and want to become a driver myself. As you see people, especially girls, feel safe with us while they are traveling during late hours in comparison to male drivers who seem risky," said Snehashree Kinnar, another member of the trans community in Odisha said to the daily.

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