A New Journey for Jalaja
Jalaja dedicated 19 years to being a homemaker after marrying Ratheesh, a truck driver. At 42, she felt envious of her husband’s travels around the country and expressed a desire to join him on a trip to Kashmir for their wedding anniversary. However, Ratheesh said she could only accompany him if she drove the truck.
Taking the Wheel
Despite having obtained a heavy licence in 2018, Jalaja had never been interested in driving trucks. However, under Ratheesh’s encouragement, she decided to take the wheel, and after ten days of travel, they arrived in the beautiful Kashmir valley.
Expanding Horizons
This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Jalaja’s life. Since February 2, 2022, she has driven across 22 states in India, numerous union territories, and even ventured into neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. While delivering goods, she also takes the opportunity to explore the culture and landscapes of India.
Inspiring Others
Inspired by Jalaja, her sister-in-law Soorya, married to Ratheesh’s younger brother Rajesh, also got her heavy licence. Jalaja’s daughter, Devika, earned hers at just 20 years old. Now, three women from the Puthett family are actively involved in truck driving.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the most thrilling aspects of Jalaja’s job is navigating a large truck on challenging roads. She recalls an incident on the Jammu-Srinagar highway where their truck was stuck for six days due to a landslide, requiring her to walk for two kilometers to find accommodation.
Life on the Road
During journeys, once the truck is loaded, they drive continuously until they reach their destination, alternating turns at the wheel for rest. Jalaja mentions that they typically use petrol station facilities and cook their meals using a stove and utensils carried in the truck.
A Dream Come True
Having dreamed of visiting Nepal since watching the Malayalam film ‘Yoddha’, Jalaja achieved that goal after becoming a truck driver. Their first trip led them to Nepal after a delivery to Hyderabad. Jalaja later returned to Kashmir to see apple orchards and glaciers, stopping to visit the Golden Temple and the Taj Mahal on the way back home. She aims to travel to Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur to become the first woman to drive a truck in every Indian state.
Launching a YouTube Channel
Before embarking on her trip to Kashmir, Jalaja shared her adventures with friends, who encouraged her to document them. This led to the creation of her YouTube channel, ‘Puthettu Travel Vlog’, which now boasts over 425,000 subscribers. Her eldest daughter, Devika, who studies at Rajagiri College, also obtained her heavy licence, with her first drive video going viral on Women’s Day. Meanwhile, Jalaja’s younger daughter Gopika is awaiting her own heavy licence.
