Lucknow: Poonam finds it trying to be a female mechanic in a society which gives preference to men workers when it comes to repairing bikes and cars. She is a skilled mechanic from Lucknow, and the onlookers inevitably pause to observe her working on bikes. Her work is appreciated by some people, while the others struggle to believe that a woman can efficiently repair bike and car parts. 

Who is Poonam?

Poonam is a resident of Patel Nagar, Ghaziabad. Her husband, Rajesh used to work as a motor mechanic in a private company. Poonam was a homemaker who spent years taking care of her children and husband. However, one day, the pandemic took away her husband’s livelihood. 

Pandemic struggles

The year 2020, presented numerous challenges for her. Her husband lost his job as soon as the lockdown was imposed. Despite all the struggles, Poonam and her husband had to look for employment opportunities to manage household expenses. Unfortunately, the plans were disrupted when her husband suffered a paralysis attack. Treatment was sought at several hospitals, but a cure could not be found. Rajesh’s right hand was affected by the paralysis which made it difficult for him to find work. 

Opening a bike shop

Poonam shares that despite all the difficulties, she did not lose her courage. She opened a small bike repairing ship in Patel Nagar. Over time, she acquired knowledge of bike mechanics, with her husband Rajesh guiding her at every step. With consistent effort, she became proficient with her work, and developed expertise in bike repairing. Today, she successfully manages both the shop and household responsibilities.

A responsible mother

Poonam efficiently manages her roles as a wife, mother, and a mechanic. Her morning routine involves readying her children, preparing breakfasts for them, and sending them off to the school. Throughout the day, she repairs bikes at the shop while her husband deals with the customers. Balancing both the household and shop responsibilities poses challenges, but she handles the expenses really well.