Meet Kerala’s Jilumol Mariet Thomas, first Asian woman without arms to get driving licence
Mangalore Today News Network
Kerala, April 24, 2024: Passion and determination know no bounds and Jilumol Mariet Thomas is an example of these qualities. The 32-year-old woman from Kerala is the first Asian woman without arms to get a driving licence. Jilumol deftly uses her feet to drive, thereby speeding up her life. After six long years of waiting, she finally got her licence in 2023, which was personally given to her by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Palakkad.
Due to a congenital disorder, Thomas was born without arms. Her courage and determination to be able to drive herself made her do it. With the help of the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities and a private company in Kochi, they modified her car for accessibility.
Jilumol Mariet Thomas reportedly always dreamt of driving a car, especially after losing her parents to be independent. She learnt to drive at Mariya Driving School in Vaduthala and approached the Thodupuzha RTO in the Idukki district to get a driving license. The RTO officials rejected her application, after which she resolutely approached the Kerala High Court.
After the court intervened, Thomas took a test and drove the modified car in front of the MVD officials. However, the authorities again refused to issue her a driving licence. Finally, she approached the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities. The commission cited the example of Vikram Agnihotri from Indore, who was the first armless man in India to get a driving licence.
Following this, she was finally able to get the licence this year. “Mobility was my biggest handicap and now I am happy that I have got the licence and thus overcome my biggest obstacle,” Thomas told news agency IANS. Her determination to pursue the licence at any cost and not give up after so many years is an inspiration to many.
Courtesy: News18