If you live in the suburbs in Mumbai, the autorickshaw constitutes a big part of your life. You are either in it, looking to get in it, cursing it for not being available or wondering if you'll get one.
Since I can't drive (this year's new year resolution, don't worry!!), the autorickshaw plays a very important part in my life. Every morning, the first thought that strikes me is - Aaj auto milega kya? Every time the three wheels approach me, I swear my heart beats a little faster with anticipation - will the driver look at me with disgust like I have asked him to dump me in a garbage bin and go off, or will he stop and execute the almost imperceptible jerk of his head indicating he is going to be kind and take me to my destination? The days that begin with a hassle free rickshaw ride to office automatically become more pleasant and productive!
Over the years, I have had many very interesting rickshaw rides. From the grumpy drivers to the ones who think they are Schumacher, I have seen them all.
And I have spoken with all, or rather, they have all spoken with me. I have some connection, some pichle janam ka rishta, that makes them start a conversation. I have heard sob stories, happy memories, life lessons and some fantastic tales. There was the guy whose brother was an IAS officer and sister was married to a senior police inspector. I asked him why then did he drive an auto? "Kyun, apna bhi to izzat ka kamai hai", he said to me. We discussed education and women's rights from Andheri to Kandivali and he promised me he would not marry off his daughter as soon as she finished 10th standard. I still don't think his brother was an IAS officer, but well... big deal!
One of the rides was almost magical and uplifting. I was quiet and thoughtful, thinking about life and troubles when the driver just randomly started speaking about Mumbai and how he was following his dreams... he used words like "opportunity" in normal conversation with perfect pronunciation.. and i was really, truly spellbound. When I got off, he said to me "Aap tension mat lo, sab thik ho jayega". With a wave he left and I stood on the road for sometime wondering what happened!
Two things that auto drivers are really good at are - home remedies for common ailments and philosophy. I have heard about the wonders of methi dana and honey and other assorted items. And some priceless gems like -
20 lakh ka gaadi chalate hain hum log, 10 paise ka bhi izzat nahi hai
Cycle wale ko motorcycle, aur motorcycle wale ko gaadi chahiye madam, duniya tabhi to aage badhega
Ek gaadi chalane ko aur 4 road pe park karke zamane ko dikhane ke liye chahiye aaj kal
Mumbai mein traffic, dhool, tension hai...par life bhi yahin hai apna
Phrases like "Left se sarka lo" and words like "magajmaari" are additions to my vocabulary courtesy these drivers.
The ride on 25th Nov, 2010 will always remain etched in my memory. I handed over some extra money to the driver who was visibly worried since he did not have Rs 300 to get medicine for his son who had fallen off the balcony or roof or something. He promised me he would go straight to the hospital to be with his son and said "aapko kabhi nahi bhoolenge". He left and I got the call that changed everything in my life - my parents had met with an accident...I always wonder what happened to that guy's son - he somehow finds a place in all my prayers, the last link sort of, to my parents...
Far away from their homes, these guys work so hard to earn a living. I sometimes wonder how bad their lives would have been, to make them come to this crowded, mad, polluted city and ride around town on three wheels the whole day. How many dreams would have been broken in pursuit of a livelihood... and how many needs fulfilled...
I think about all those conversations and I hope all of their daughters completed their education, all their sons found jobs and all of their bowel movements benefited from the miraculous powers of methi dana. To all those drivers who made my rides interesting - Thank You!! It is because of you that I don't strangle the other infuriating drivers I meet each day. May God bless you and the three wheels of your auto!!
Since I can't drive (this year's new year resolution, don't worry!!), the autorickshaw plays a very important part in my life. Every morning, the first thought that strikes me is - Aaj auto milega kya? Every time the three wheels approach me, I swear my heart beats a little faster with anticipation - will the driver look at me with disgust like I have asked him to dump me in a garbage bin and go off, or will he stop and execute the almost imperceptible jerk of his head indicating he is going to be kind and take me to my destination? The days that begin with a hassle free rickshaw ride to office automatically become more pleasant and productive!
Over the years, I have had many very interesting rickshaw rides. From the grumpy drivers to the ones who think they are Schumacher, I have seen them all.
And I have spoken with all, or rather, they have all spoken with me. I have some connection, some pichle janam ka rishta, that makes them start a conversation. I have heard sob stories, happy memories, life lessons and some fantastic tales. There was the guy whose brother was an IAS officer and sister was married to a senior police inspector. I asked him why then did he drive an auto? "Kyun, apna bhi to izzat ka kamai hai", he said to me. We discussed education and women's rights from Andheri to Kandivali and he promised me he would not marry off his daughter as soon as she finished 10th standard. I still don't think his brother was an IAS officer, but well... big deal!
One of the rides was almost magical and uplifting. I was quiet and thoughtful, thinking about life and troubles when the driver just randomly started speaking about Mumbai and how he was following his dreams... he used words like "opportunity" in normal conversation with perfect pronunciation.. and i was really, truly spellbound. When I got off, he said to me "Aap tension mat lo, sab thik ho jayega". With a wave he left and I stood on the road for sometime wondering what happened!
Two things that auto drivers are really good at are - home remedies for common ailments and philosophy. I have heard about the wonders of methi dana and honey and other assorted items. And some priceless gems like -
20 lakh ka gaadi chalate hain hum log, 10 paise ka bhi izzat nahi hai
Cycle wale ko motorcycle, aur motorcycle wale ko gaadi chahiye madam, duniya tabhi to aage badhega
Ek gaadi chalane ko aur 4 road pe park karke zamane ko dikhane ke liye chahiye aaj kal
Mumbai mein traffic, dhool, tension hai...par life bhi yahin hai apna
Phrases like "Left se sarka lo" and words like "magajmaari" are additions to my vocabulary courtesy these drivers.
The ride on 25th Nov, 2010 will always remain etched in my memory. I handed over some extra money to the driver who was visibly worried since he did not have Rs 300 to get medicine for his son who had fallen off the balcony or roof or something. He promised me he would go straight to the hospital to be with his son and said "aapko kabhi nahi bhoolenge". He left and I got the call that changed everything in my life - my parents had met with an accident...I always wonder what happened to that guy's son - he somehow finds a place in all my prayers, the last link sort of, to my parents...
Far away from their homes, these guys work so hard to earn a living. I sometimes wonder how bad their lives would have been, to make them come to this crowded, mad, polluted city and ride around town on three wheels the whole day. How many dreams would have been broken in pursuit of a livelihood... and how many needs fulfilled...
I think about all those conversations and I hope all of their daughters completed their education, all their sons found jobs and all of their bowel movements benefited from the miraculous powers of methi dana. To all those drivers who made my rides interesting - Thank You!! It is because of you that I don't strangle the other infuriating drivers I meet each day. May God bless you and the three wheels of your auto!!
