Rangpo – a town along the Teesta river, serves as the entryway into the state of Sikkim. Linking Siliguri, West Bengal, to the Sikkimese capital of Gangtok, Rangpo is a town bustling with the daily movement of goods, vehicles, and people.

Adept and familiar with the town’s terrain, two mothers, part of Flipkart’s busy Rangpo delivery hub, ensure last-mile connectivity for customers in residential clusters and industrial areas along the river banks

Wishmasters Priti Rai and Sumona Biswas navigate unique challenges to serve their communities while also earning a dignified livelihood to support their families. Read their stories.

Priti Rai: Starting from Scratch

I am 26 years old. I am originally from Namchi in South Sikkim. I grew up there, studied there, and when I didn’t clear my 12th standard exams, I got married.

A few years ago, my marriage ended. My son is now 8 years old, and the inspiration behind some of the decisions I have made in life.

As a single mother, I wanted to stand on my own two feet and provide my son. I decided to work. My parents were a bit hesitant at first, but eventually came to support my decision.

I found out about an opening at the Flipkart Delivery Hub in Rangpo, and moved here. I could not have done this without the support of my parents, who take care of my child back home in Namchi.

When I moved to Rangpo by myself, I was very nervous. I had no idea what the interview process would be like, or what the work would actually involve.

I got through the interview and I was so happy. My seniors took me through the daily processes of the operation - sorting packages, aligning routes, and delivering on time.

I found it really difficult in the beginning, especially the first 2-3 days. I was ready to give up.I was unfamiliar with the terrain and routes because Rangpo was new to me. Many times, customers would ask me to come to a certain location near their house, and I would end up somewhere totally different, because the roads are winding and the houses are on hills.

But the team at the hub was really supportive - the Didis helped me find the right places, and my seniors guided me in following the right processes.

It was difficult as a single woman to find accommodation in a small town, but here too my team leads helped me out.

The past few years have been equally exciting and intense. But the support has never wavered. During the Covid lockdown and even when the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood happened in 2023, we were unable to step out to work. Both times, Flipkart took care of our financial expenses like rent, school fees, etc.

I have watched myself grow in the last five years that I have worked at this Flipkart hub - I provide for my son, take care of all his needs and send money home.

When I first moved here, I didn’t know much - I used to survive on instant noodles because my parents always took care of my food. Now, I have learnt to cook and do everything on my own. I’m proud of who I’ve become.

I deliver between 90 to 100 parcels a day, and even more during the Big Billion Days. I now know Flipkart customers by name.

Rangpo is really safe, and the residents are supportive of each other. But there are still a few challenges. The conditions of the roads during the monsoons, and the fear of landslides. Most places are only reachable on foot. But the team comes together to deliver to our customers on time.

I order on Flipkart too and it’s usually something for my son.

I love the independence I now have.

Sumona Biswas: A Mother Choosing to Step Out and Do More

I am 24 years old and I am from Kolkata, West Bengal. I moved here to Rangpo in 2015 since my husband works here. We have a daughter, and I love being a mother.

Once my daughter began going to school, I wanted to utilize my time better. I used to look at the Flipkart Wishmasters going about their work day, and thought I should try it too.

I approached the hub, and once they took me through the process, I thought this was definitely something I could do.

When I first moved here, I used to love interacting with my neighbors, and learnt to speak Nepali by speaking to the kids around my house - they taught me a lot of songs too. So the language was not a barrier for me. I had also become a bit familiar with the roads and routes. That made it easy for me to start.

My husband backed my decision to work, and since we already had a scooter, he taught me to ride it during the Covid lockdown.

Equipped with my scooter, my skills in the local language and familiarity with the terrain, I began work as a Flipkart Wishmaster.

It’s now been three years since I started working at the Flipkart Hub. I did find it a bit difficult in the beginning, especially with new customers and finding exact addresses. But not anymore. There are a lot of people who work in pharmaceutical companies here, and they order their daily essentials and things they need for the house on Flipkart. I have regular customers now and it is easy for me to time deliveries based on their work schedules.

My day at the hub starts early - I come here, sort my shipments for the day, and head back home. In the meantime, my husband gets my daughter ready for school. I go home and do her hair - that’s the only thing my husband doesn’t know how to do yet!

Once she goes to school, I begin delivering my shipments for the day. My husband brings my daughter home from school and sends her to tuitions. I finish work by the time she is done, and from then she is with me.

During busy times like the Big Billion Days, the number of shipments are higher. My husband takes time off from his work so I can finish mine uninterrupted. Even my daughter keeps herself busy when I’m at work.

My time is productive, and I am also financially capable - this makes it all worth it. I feel happy when my daughter says, “my mother bought me this.” I love hearing “my daughter-in-law bought me this phone.” I consider these as achievements.

I am happy here in Rangpo - I have my work, my family, and as a fast-food lover, lots of opportunities to eat the momos and thukpa too!

These are all achievements for me.