Pink E-Rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh wins UK’s royal award

Category : Awards Published on: May 27 2024

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Aarti, an 18-year-old woman e-rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, was awarded the Amal Clooney Women Empowerment Award by King Charles III of the United Kingdom. The award ceremony was held at Buckingham Palace, London, England.
Aarti arrived at Buckingham Palace in a pink e-rickshaw, which she had received under the Uttar Pradesh government's Mission Shakti scheme.
The Amal Clooney Women Empowerment Award is named after renowned English barrister Amal Clooney and is sponsored by the British charity, Prince's Trust International.
The Uttar Pradesh government launched the Mission Shakti scheme in 2020, which aims to empower women through protection, training and self-reliance.
Under this scheme, the Pink E-Rickshaw initiative was launched, which provides training to women to drive e-rickshaws and information about traffic rules.
The Pink e-rickshaw initiative has been clubbed with the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana and is being operated by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department.
Under this scheme, a subsidy of Rs 49,5000 and a loan at a low interest rate is provided to women so that they can buy e-rickshaws and become self-reliant.