Independence Day: Ex-Army men to share their stories with Ola users

This Independence Day, your Ola Share driver could probably tell you some real-life war stories. To celebrate the 70th Independence Day, the taxi aggregator will be letting its customers ride with Ola Sainiks, which means ex-servicemen who are now Ola partners. It has a number of ex-servicemen, some of who have served the nation for 15-20 years. 
 
“Ola has not only given me financial freedom but I also get a chance to share my stories with my passengers. When people find out that I am an ex-serviceman their outlook towards me completely changes, they can’t stop asking questions and pester me to share my stories. With these conversations I am able to relive my glorious years with the Indian Army," said Jairam Shukla, who retired from the Indian Army after serving for over 26 years as a Naik Subedar. 

Jairam Shukla, retired from the Indian Army after serving for over 26 years as a Naik Subedar

Jairam joined the aggregator under the Ola Sainik Progam in the year 2016 and today has two vehicles attached to the platform. He has been driving vehicles all his life, ranging from Gypsy to the larger ones like the iconic Shaktiman. He joined the platform after his retirement in 2015 as providing for his family and paying for his son’s engineering fees on just the pension became extremely difficult. 

Reminiscing about his days in the army, he adds, “Kargil war was a defining event in my life. I had three gunshot wounds. But my peers in my regiment helped me survive the ordeal. The way they supported and helped me has changed my view on life. Qualities like honesty, valour and respect are not just limited to the forces. If applied in everyday life, they have the power to transform everything. “

“All my rides have 5-star ratings as I always make sure the customer is comfortable. I never cancel rides, I ensure that I help people that are old or who have a lot of luggage,” he added.

Another Ola Sainik is Sukhbir Singh who joined the Indian Army in the year 1984. "The 26 years I spent with the forces were the best in my life," Singh adds. Currently working as a consultant with the Defence ministry, Sukhbir is an operator at Ola with two of his vehicles attached with the platform. 

Sukhbir Singh joined the Indian Army in the year 1984

 “One has to be strategic about how one works and succeeds. Wars are not won by weapons or big guns; they are won by strategy, skill and dedication. The same is valid for every profession. I ensure that my drivers are educated on how they can work effectively. I work with them to provide them technical understanding of how the app works and navigation and guide them on how they should speak to customers and behave with them. These things have come a long way for me. In a short span of time I have been able to create a sustainable living for myself and the drivers that work with me," he added.

Manjunath B.N. (Retd.) served the nation as a Petty Officer (underwater weapons) for 15 years as part of the Indian Navy and was a part of high profile military exercises including Operation Parakram and Kargil. 

Manjunath B.N. (Retd.) served the nation as a Petty Officer (underwater weapons) for 15 years

He has received over five decorations for his valour and unwavering service to the nation. He joined the Ola platform in 2015, in order to supplement his income. But, that wasn’t the only reason. He has partnered with a friend in a construction business post retirement, but was tired of sitting in an air conditioned office every day.
 
Talking about his experience with the taxi aggregator, “Most people want to know war stories and experience in forward areas. It is fun, always a conversation starter and then the journey just passes by," he added. Manjunath has been on the Ola platform for over two and a half years and has 5-star rating for almost all his rides.