Christina Rindiki was bit by the entrepreneurial bug while working as a delivery associate not too long ago—she knew then that she wanted to build a logistics business. “For me, financial independence is of utmost priority,” says Rindiki, who used to work as a supervisor at Amazon India’s partner delivery station in Aizawal, Mizoram’s capital.
Today she is the entrepreneur of Amazon’s first all-women partner delivery station in Northeast India. When the opportunity to start an all-women partner delivery station in Champhai (a district close to the Myanmar-India border) came calling earlier this year, Rindiki took a leap of faith.
It gives me a sense of pride as this opportunity has enabled me to positively impact the lives of women and their families from the region. This opportunity has enabled me to empower more women like me and assist them in becoming self-sufficient.
Opportunities for women from the region
At the Champhai station, women manage all operations across managerial and delivery roles. New opportunities will emerge in roles such as process associates, delivery associates, and station managers.
All associates are provided with training support across customer service, handling packages, technology, and safety. In order to create a safe workplace for women, several feedback mechanisms have been introduced, along with a dedicated helpline number for associates to dial for any support needed during the day.
Strengthening our DEI commitment
The launch of the all-women partner delivery station complements Amazon’s efforts to increase opportunities for women in the logistics sector, while strengthening its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) commitment. Amazon already has five all-women partner delivery stations operated by partners—two stations in Kerala, and one each in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
At Amazon India, we are committed to providing women with equal access to work, growth opportunities, and resources that help them broaden their horizons. The launch of the first all-women delivery station in Mizoram is a continuation of our ongoing efforts to give women secure and fulfilling opportunities to become self-sufficient and independent. As Amazon India continues to expand its reach in the Northeast region, the women working at this all-women partner delivery station will serve as an inspiration to many more.
Delivering in remote locations
The power packed team of women will deliver hundreds of packages daily to Amazon customers within a 10-kilometre radius. Rindiki’s crew will soon become familiar faces in neighbouring areas such as Kanan, Kahrawt, Venglai, Vengthlang, Vengsang, and Bethel.
K Vanlalremruati, an associate from the Champhai partner delivery station, says that enrolling for the delivery of Amazon packages was “one of the best decisions that has positively changed my life.”
The reason? "Champhai is a remote location and that brings plenty of challenges. Being the only working member in a family of five, my life has not been very easy and I have faced a lot of financial difficulties," she says.
Amazon’s commitment to Northeast India
Delivery stations are the starting point for Amazon’s ‘last-mile delivery’ in which ordered products are consolidated from fulfillment centers and sortation centres and delivered to the doorstep of customers in the surrounding area.
Over the years, Amazon has invested in deepening its presence in Northeast India. Today, it has close to 70 Amazon-owned and Partner Delivery Stations that ensure direct delivery presence to nearly 400 pin codes across the region (Amazon delivers to 100% serviceable pin codes across the country). About 97% pin codes with direct delivery presence are now able to receive deliveries within 2 days of placing an order.
Supporting aspiring entrepreneurs in the hinterland
The Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program is a last-mile delivery model where Amazon India partners with SMBs to deliver packages to Amazon customers. The DSP program has helped Amazon India expand its reach into India’s hinterlands and enabled aspiring entrepreneurs to develop and launch delivery businesses. The partners use local knowledge of the community and the technological support offered by Amazon India to seamlessly fulfill delivery promises to customers.
Currently, over 350 Indian businesses are managing 1,800 Partner Delivery Stations across 750 cities and towns, employing tens of thousands of people.
Are you an aspiring Delivery Service Partner? Apply here.
