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Kerala Woman, At 74, Breaks Barriers To Become India’s ‘Only Female’ With 11 Vehicle Licences: ‘She Shouldn’t Be Driving’
Kerala Woman, At 74, Breaks Barriers To Become India’s ‘Only Female’ With 11 Vehicle Licences: ‘She Shouldn’t Be Driving’
Ever thought someone could drive buses, cranes, and excavators at 74? Meet Radhamani, affectionately known as Mani Amma, from Kerala. She grew up in a small village in a middle-class family where her father worked with coir and coconuts.
After finishing her Class 10 exams, she got married and never imagined that driving would one day become such a big part of her life. In fact, she was once scared to even sit behind the wheel, afraid she might hit someone.
But that fear didn't last long. With her husband's encouragement and daily practice, she slowly gained confidence. What started as a nervous attempt to learn to drive turned into a lifelong passion.
Today, at 74, she proudly holds 11 different driving licences, including those for heavy vehicles such as buses, cranes, and JCBs. Her journey is proof that it is never too late to try something new and that age or fear should never stop anyone.
A Woman Who Can Drive Almost Anything
Radhamani is the only woman in India to hold licences for 11 types of vehicles. Her husband, T.V. Lal, started a driving school in 1978, and that is when she decided to learn how to drive.
At a time when very few women were seen behind the wheel, she began by learning to drive a bus and a lorry. Soon, she mastered other heavy vehicles such as trailers, forklifts, cranes, road rollers, and excavators.
“Back then, people were very curious and surprised to see a woman driving a heavy vehicle," Radhamani told The Better India. After her husband passed away in 2004, she took charge of the driving school to support her family and has continued to train others ever since.
Ever wondered what it takes to drive not just cars, but buses, cranes, and excavators at 74?Born in a small village in Kerala and married just after her Class 10 exams, Mani Amma grew up in a middle‑class family where her father worked with coir and coconuts.
Driving was… pic.twitter.com/ApL15K1l68
— The Better India (@thebetterindia) October 23, 2025
People Online Praise Her Determination
Many who saw her story online were deeply moved by her courage and hard work.
A user commented, “Age is never a barrier to achieving what you truly want."
Another said, “Practice makes the woman perfect."
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Someone wrote, “We all can really bloom in the most unexpected ways with the support and encouragement received from love."
“Respect for this hardworking lady," said another. A person added, “Wow, that's sooo amazing. I'm really curious about her motivation!" And another simply called it, “Real women empowerment."
Source: News18
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