Meet Kerala’s ‘Bullet Girl’: How Dhiya Joseph is Rewriting India’s Gender Norms

In the buzzing streets of Kottayam, Kerala, amongst the sounds of chaiwalas, college bell rings, and the distant honk of autos, there’s another sound — the deep, throaty rumble of a Royal Enfield engine being fine-tuned by none other than Dhiya Joseph. Now, before you assume this is yet another tale of a girl riding a bike, let’s clarify — this is the story of a 24-year-old mechanic who doesn't just ride Bullets, she builds, fixes, and breathes life into them like a true artisan. Dhiya isn’t your everyday engineering student. She's someone who picked up a wrench before she even got her driving licence. So, why are we talking about her out of the thousands of young students and professionals in India today? Because she isn't just chasing dreams — she’s shattering age-old stereotypes with grease-stained hands and unapologetic pride. And honestly, kaun kehta hai girls can’t rule the garage?

Journey of The Bullet Girl

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Born and raised in the quaint town of Pulikkaparambu near the Kottayam railway station, Dhiya Joseph grew up in a world where engine oil was as familiar as coconut oil. Her father, Joseph Dominic, a seasoned Bullet mechanic, ran a repair shop right next to their home. While other girls her age were probably getting their first phones, Dhiya was documenting customer complaints and cleaning air filters in the summer of her Class 10 break. What started as a way to help her father gradually turned into an unstoppable passion. By 19, she was not only servicing two to three bikes a day but was also pulling in around Rs. 2,000 per day. Her skills — from oil changes to full Bullet servicing — earned her the unofficial title of "Bullet Girl" among locals. And when she turned 19, her father surprised her with a Royal Enfield Thunderbird and a driving licence on the same day — a symbolic moment that stitched her identity to the very machines she loves. While pursuing mechanical engineering at Amal Jyothi College, Kanjirappally, she even caught the attention of Royal Enfield itself, getting invited to their Chennai plant — a badge of honour for anyone in this field. Her quiet confidence, hard-earned expertise, and grounded attitude have made her more than just a local sensation — she's now a national icon in the making.

But Dhiya's story isn’t just hers. It’s a mirror reflecting the untold stories of many young Indian women stepping into spaces that were once strictly reserved for men. Whether it's fixing motorcycles, flying planes, or leading tech startups, Indian girls are doing it all — and often, they’re doing it better. In Dhiya's own words, “Some boys who finish engineering don’t grasp things as quickly as we do” — a line that’s not just honest but rooted in lived experience. Her journey also proves how vital family support is in shattering gender norms. From gifting her a bike to mentoring her through every gear change, her father’s encouragement played a key role. Yet, even with the praise comes the judgement — unsolicited opinions from strangers who can’t quite digest the sight of a woman in a grease-covered kurti holding a wrench. But Dhiya, with her signature calm and fierce smile, simply shrugs it off and continues doing what she loves.

Takeaways from Her Bike Rides

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So, here’s the real takeaway: when we talk about ‘Bharat badal raha hai’, we often look at flashy headlines or policy changes. But real transformation happens in quiet garages in Kerala, in girls like Dhiya Joseph, who rewrite rules with every nut and bolt. Her story is a powerful reminder that empowerment doesn’t always need a stage — sometimes, it just needs a toolbox. And to every little girl out there who’s been told, “Ye kaam ladkon ka hai,” just remember — Bullet ki awaaz gender nahi poochti. Neither should you.