In 2018, Samaan Society in Indore launched a groundbreaking program to train women as bike mechanics - a role traditionally dominated by men. The initiative aimed to shatter gender stereotypes and empower women with skills that offer both dignity and financial independence.

Over three years, 250 women were trained, with 68 securing jobs at service centres of brands like TVS, Suzuki, and Hero, while others opened their own garages. These women, once engaged in low-paying domestic work, now earn three times their previous income, gaining respect as “Mechanic Madam.”

The program uses a specialised, easy-to-understand 12-chapter training module, developed with experts from IIT Indore and Holkar Science College. It covers everything from bike servicing and repairs to wiring and engine work, blending technical skills with empowerment training to build leadership.

Community mobilisation, training, and placement are the three pillars of the program, ensuring not just employment but long-term independence. Many women have joined the Samaan Yantrika Association, running women-only garages in Indore.

This bold move has not only transformed lives but also challenged the patriarchal mindset - proving that women can rule the workshop floor too.