Bankura University Girl Drives a Funeral Van to Dispel Superstitions and Inspire Change – GetBengal story

Pooja Mondal, a postgraduate student at Bankura University, is majoring in social services. She is involved in a variety of social welfare activities to spread awareness about various social issues among the masses. Her altruistic efforts have become the talk of the town, and now people are not only familiar with her name but have heralded her as an example of unselfish devotion and duty to society who does not hesitate to put others above herself. She is a shining role model for all.

Pooja Mondal is determined to break the glass ceiling, make her way into a male-only dominion and pave the way for other girls to follow her example. She is brave and ready to take up cudgels against societal misconceptions and superstitions to prove her point.

Pooja, who is from a small hamlet in Barjora Sub-division in Bankura, works as a part-time driver to make ends meet at home. However, she is no ordinary driver. She drives Bankura's Barjora Blood Donation Society’s hearse van, used to transport deceased bodies to the crematorium or cemetery.

These hearse vans are equipped with features that prioritise the dignity and respect of the deceased. They provide a comfortable and secure environment for transporting the body, shielding it from external elements, and ensuring privacy for the departed and their family members. Despite that, people tend to look down upon the funeral carriage, or ‘Chariot of Heaven’ (Swarger Rath). Superstitions and judgement surround the dead and everything that is associated with them. A majority of people in Bankura hold on to similar convictions. In fact, in a recent incident, a gas station in Bankura town refused to sell gasoline to a funeral van. Very often, drivers face problems at garages. Automobile mechanics flatly refuse to service these vans. Even simple requirements like replacing defective tyres or fixing the glass become difficult because, in the eyes of a section of people, the funeral vans are impure and untouchable.

Despite these impediments, Pooja continues to stick to her decision and drives the hearse van enthusiastically. There is an amazing story behind her determination to take on the odd job. The Barjora Blood Donation Society bought the funeral van in 2014 and faced many obstacles. Initially, no driver was willing to take up the assignment of driving a hearse van. Even though a driver was appointed for the job, the man faced innumerable problems from the start. All the petrol pumps in the vicinity refused to refill gas in the hearse van. Also, no businessman was willing to install seat covers. This 'chariot of Heaven' had no specific parking space and had to be parked at taxi stands next to static cabs, but no cab driver was willing to share space. The situation was very grim.

In 2018, Pooja donated blood for the first time at the Barjora Blood Donor Society camp and became an active member of the organisation. In 2021, she got an opportunity to join the organisation as a hearse vehicle driver. She was then an undergraduate student at a college in Durgapur.

Pooja saw this as an excellent opportunity to sensitise people and make them see that the hearse van was like any other vehicle. She started driving the vehicle with a mission. Initially, she faced a lot of criticism and rejection. But she did not give up. The antagonism gradually melted away, leading to a gradual change in people’s attitudes. Now the journey has become far smoother for her.

Pooja continues to study and participate in social welfare projects. She continues her work with the same dedication and passion while dispelling superstitions and promoting awareness among the masses. By now, she is a well-known name in the district. Everyone in the university, from the assistant professor to the vice chancellor, knows Pooja. She has made her parents proud of her choice of profession. Like any parent, Pooja's mother, Tumpa Mondal, was initially sceptical and worried about her daughter’s safety. However, Pooja’s confidence has dispelled all fears, and she is also elated to see her daughter make her mark in the uncharted territory there.

Pooja drives the funeral van on busy roads with skill. From driving the van to pulling the corpse out on a stretcher, she handles everything single-handedly. There is no fatigue in her countenance as she continues her monotonous work with unmatched enthusiasm. She is full of gratitude to life for providing her with an opportunity to shoulder the responsibility and serve humankind in her capacity as a fellow citizen.