Keonjhar, June 18: Once a promising sprinter with multiple medals to her name, 25-year-old Pallabi Deuri from Assam has traded the running track for the driver's seat of an electric bus, choosing family responsibility over personal ambition.
Pallabi had dreamt of establishing herself as a successful athlete. However, financial hardships forced her to take a different path. Today, she serves as a driver with Odisha’s Ama Bus service, inspiring many with her determination and resilience.
A decade ago, Pallabi's life took a tragic turn following the sudden death of her father. Left with the responsibility of supporting her mother and elder brother, she continued to pursue her passion for athletics. Encouraged by Saraswati Chand, sister of renowned sprinter Dutee Chand, Pallabi moved to Odisha from Assam to train professionally.
While studying at Kunjabihari College in Barang, Bhubaneswar, she underwent athletics training and achieved notable success on the track. Representing Assam, she won two gold medals and two silver medals in the 100-metre event.
Despite her sporting achievements, mounting financial pressure at home compelled her to seek stable employment. In 2025, she obtained a heavy vehicle driving licence in Bhubaneswar and later applied for a driver’s position with the Assam Police.
Before that opportunity materialised, Odisha's Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Home and Housing & Urban Development Departments, Usha Padhee, recognised Pallabi’s interest and encouraged her to join the Ama Bus service.
Following specialised training in operating modern electric buses and a 15-day government-sponsored training programme in Lucknow, Pallabi was posted in Keonjhar last month.
The electric buses are equipped with advanced safety features, including CCTV cameras, panic buttons, GPS tracking systems and ADAS cameras, ensuring a safe and comfortable travel experience for passengers, particularly women.
Pallabi’s journey from a medal-winning athlete to a professional bus driver reflects her unwavering commitment to supporting her family while continuing to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
