Updated on October 9, 2024
Jalaja Ratheesh is not just a name; she’s a trailblazer, steering her way through India’s diverse landscapes, breaking barriers as one of the country’s few female truck drivers. From the valleys of Kashmir to the beaches of Goa, Jalaja’s journey isn’t just about moving cargo—it’s about her passion for travel, her love for the open road, and her desire to experience life in all its vibrant hues.
Jalaja Ratheesh – Blending Passion With Profession
Many dream of traveling and exploring the world, but for most, the cost of such adventures remains a distant dream. For Jalaja Ratheesh, the solution came in an unconventional way—combining her passion for exploration with the family business of trucking. Through her vlogs, she shares snippets of the mesmerizing places she visits, from the cold mountains of Kashmir to the lush hills of Meghalaya, places that many only imagine visiting.
Jalaja’s journey began with her husband, Ratheesh, the founder of Puthettu Transports in Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Kerala. Ratheesh started his transport company in 2003 with just a single six-wheeler truck, bought on a bank loan of ₹6 lakh. Over the years, the business flourished, growing into a fleet of 27 trucks with a nationwide permit.
While Ratheesh managed the business, Jalaja, a history graduate, was a homemaker raising their two daughters. Life in their large joint family was busy, but the call of the road was too strong for Jalaja to ignore. When she expressed her desire to join Ratheesh on his cross-country trips, he jokingly responded, “You can join me if you drive the truck.” What started as a lighthearted comment soon became Jalaja’s reality.
Jalaja Ratheesh – From Homemaker To Truck Driver
With her husband’s encouragement, Jalaja began learning how to drive. Starting small—with a two-wheeler—she quickly graduated to driving a car, and by 2018, she was behind the wheel of a 12-wheeler truck. What might have seemed impossible to many became Jalaja’s everyday reality. She wasn’t just accompanying her husband—she was actively driving alongside him, hauling loads across India.
Breaking Stereotypes In Kerala’s Trucking Industry
Kerala is a state that leads the way in terms of women drivers, with over 40% of learner’s licenses in 2022 issued to women. While it’s common to see women riding two-wheelers and cars, Jalaja stands out as one of the few female truck drivers in the country. In Kerala, women driving buses or cabs is becoming more frequent, but trucking remains an almost exclusively male domain.
Ratheesh acknowledges that the challenges for a woman truck driver are significantly greater than for a bus driver. While bus drivers can return home daily, truckers like Jalaja are often on the road for weeks at a time, covering thousands of kilometers. Over the past year and a half, Jalaja and Ratheesh have traveled to places as far as Nepal, Orissa, Mumbai, Kolkata, Meghalaya, and more.
Jalaja Ratheesh – Overcoming Challenges On The Road
As a woman truck driver, Jalaja faces unique challenges. Finding clean washrooms on India’s highways, especially in northern regions, can be difficult. To manage, she avoids highway dhabas and relies on facilities at toll booths or petrol stations. The long hours, irregular meals, and physical demands of driving a heavy vehicle across rough terrain add to the difficulty, but Jalaja takes it all in stride.
Despite these challenges, Jalaja and Ratheesh have made their travels a thrilling adventure. Their typical loads range from rubber and plywood to fruits, vegetables, and chemicals. On occasion, they face logistical hurdles, such as not finding a return load, forcing them to travel empty to distant locations like Haryana just to pick up their next consignment. But for Jalaja, each journey offers an opportunity to explore new places and experience the sights and sounds of India.
The Birth Of Puthettu Travel Vlog
In 2022, Jalaja fulfilled one of her dreams by driving a truckload of plywood from Kerala to Kashmir, with Ratheesh and a relative accompanying her. This was a highlight in her journey as a trucker, and it inspired her to share her experiences with a broader audience. Her vlogs, capturing the beauty and essence of India’s diverse locales, quickly gained popularity.
Through her Puthettu Travel Vlog, Jalaja has become an inspiration for many, especially women who may hesitate to pursue driving despite having a license. Her growing fanbase often recognizes her on the road, sparking conversations that further motivate her to keep creating.
At 42, Jalaja is an adventurer at heart, capturing the essence of her travels on her popular YouTube channel, Puthettu Travel Vlog. But her story isn’t just about breathtaking scenery and local food—it’s about determination, the courage to embrace challenges, and the support of her family, especially her husband, Ratheesh, who has been by her side through every twist and turn.
A Family Affair On The Road
Jalaja is no longer the only woman driver in the family. Her daughter, Devika, and her sister, Surya, have also learned to drive trucks, and they sometimes join her on longer trips. In a recent trip to Lucknow, Jalaja and Devika shared driving duties, while the rest of the family enjoyed the ride. For Jalaja, these family trips in the truck are filled with laughter, fun, and the joy of exploring new places together.
Driving through 22 states and 6 union territories, Jalaja has seen more of India than most, learning about local cultures, foods, and customs along the way. She dreams of venturing to unexplored corners of the country, including Tripura, Nagaland, and Manipur—destinations still on her travel wish list.
Conclusion
Jalaja Ratheesh’s story is not just one of trucking across India. It’s a story of breaking gender norms, pursuing one’s passions, and embracing adventure at every turn. As she continues to explore India’s diverse landscapes and cultures, she serves as an inspiration for anyone who dreams of traveling, proving that with determination, family support, and a bit of courage, no dream is too big.
For Jalaja, the road ahead is as exciting as the miles she’s already traveled. Whether she’s behind the wheel or in front of the camera, her journey is far from over—and her adventures will continue to inspire.
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References:
Mathukutty P. V. is the founder of Simply Life Tips, a blogger, content writer, influencer, and YouTuber passionate about learning and sharing. Guided by “Simple Living, Creative Thinking,” he believes in the power of knowledge sharing and lifelong learning.
