We step out of our homes (assuming you live in the suburbs) and you hail for an auto to take you to the station, to your work, to the doctor or to any place you want to go to. This comfort is almost always taken for granted until they go on a strike! Oft late, I seemed to have become the passenger who is a listener. For some reason, I still can't figure out what, the auto-drivers seem to find me approachable to talk to.. Conversations are on diverse topics, some initiated by me when it comes to literacy, reading, bank accounts, garbage disposal, etc. but most are by them regarding their work, their lifestyles, etc.
Conversation 1
Route: Bandra Stn. to home
We started talking about his family and the fact that his children are now studying. Suddenly, he spoke in English. Mind you, it was excellently spoken. I'm usually very critical when it comes to languages, and this guy passed the test with flying colours. His accent was neutral, language was almost fluent! I was thoroughly impressed and surprised. We spoke in english and he seemed comfortable in the language. We spoke about his life, he told me about the hardships he faced and then I was almost home. As I'm habituated, I said a 'thank you' after giving him the money, he looks at me and says, "Madam, thank you. Apne meri baatein suni"
Conversation 2
Route: Santacruz Stn. (Office) to home
I was listening to my ipod till almost half the way, when suddenly there was a brake with a jerk and we narrowly escaped an accident. I was afraid this driver might want to go back and hurl a few chosen words at the other chap, but he hurried away too soon. As though some wall had broken, this guy starts talking. Realising that he wanted to talk, I put my ipod away and we spoke. He was telling me something about lives, and then suddenly he says, we have a lot of property in Bombay. People think that auto drivers are not smart enough, but we are. I got my brother educated. He's a doctor now and runs a nursing home very successfully in Sewri. I immediately blurted out, then why're you doing this work? why not do something better? He said, that's what even my brother says, but I'm alright doing this. He started telling me some incidents where, he has literally conned some foreigners! Foreigners who cannot read a meter used to pay him 10 times the amount, that too in dollars! He said he used to ask for dollars and dirams and he made very good money out of that. He said, nowadays they're smarter.
He has apparently given a loan of 7 Lakhs to his brother so that he could buy the sonography equipment for the clinic. He spoke about the times when his brother reprimanded him for his clothes when he went to the clinic. He said, he's stopped going there now. He denies being his brother's brother in front of people because he doesn't want to be specially treated.
I told him that it was wrong for him to cheat the foreigners, but I could see that he was an honest hard-working man. He'd made something out of himself, for his brother, for his family and for his children. All of them are studying in schools and colleges.
The world is changing... I think what helps is that because these people have such close interactions with customers and others who lead seemingly better lifestlyes, their exposure towards all these ways increases manifold. In more ways than one they pick up the better ways to do things.
Conversation 3
Route: Home to Salon
While talking about money, I spoke about saving and keep the money in a bank account. The driver looks at me (through those well-positioned mirrors) and says, "Madam account kholne ke liye proof kidhar hai?" Ration card, address proof, kuch bhi toh nahin hai hamare pass. Paise aate hai aur jaate hain. Din ka gujara ho jata hai.
Can nothing be done? I'm sure most of the others are in a better position than he was, but what about the percentage who are like him.
Leaving you with these thoughts, till the time I encounter something new.
Conversation 1
Route: Bandra Stn. to home
We started talking about his family and the fact that his children are now studying. Suddenly, he spoke in English. Mind you, it was excellently spoken. I'm usually very critical when it comes to languages, and this guy passed the test with flying colours. His accent was neutral, language was almost fluent! I was thoroughly impressed and surprised. We spoke in english and he seemed comfortable in the language. We spoke about his life, he told me about the hardships he faced and then I was almost home. As I'm habituated, I said a 'thank you' after giving him the money, he looks at me and says, "Madam, thank you. Apne meri baatein suni"
Conversation 2
Route: Santacruz Stn. (Office) to home
I was listening to my ipod till almost half the way, when suddenly there was a brake with a jerk and we narrowly escaped an accident. I was afraid this driver might want to go back and hurl a few chosen words at the other chap, but he hurried away too soon. As though some wall had broken, this guy starts talking. Realising that he wanted to talk, I put my ipod away and we spoke. He was telling me something about lives, and then suddenly he says, we have a lot of property in Bombay. People think that auto drivers are not smart enough, but we are. I got my brother educated. He's a doctor now and runs a nursing home very successfully in Sewri. I immediately blurted out, then why're you doing this work? why not do something better? He said, that's what even my brother says, but I'm alright doing this. He started telling me some incidents where, he has literally conned some foreigners! Foreigners who cannot read a meter used to pay him 10 times the amount, that too in dollars! He said he used to ask for dollars and dirams and he made very good money out of that. He said, nowadays they're smarter.
He has apparently given a loan of 7 Lakhs to his brother so that he could buy the sonography equipment for the clinic. He spoke about the times when his brother reprimanded him for his clothes when he went to the clinic. He said, he's stopped going there now. He denies being his brother's brother in front of people because he doesn't want to be specially treated.
I told him that it was wrong for him to cheat the foreigners, but I could see that he was an honest hard-working man. He'd made something out of himself, for his brother, for his family and for his children. All of them are studying in schools and colleges.
The world is changing... I think what helps is that because these people have such close interactions with customers and others who lead seemingly better lifestlyes, their exposure towards all these ways increases manifold. In more ways than one they pick up the better ways to do things.
Conversation 3
Route: Home to Salon
While talking about money, I spoke about saving and keep the money in a bank account. The driver looks at me (through those well-positioned mirrors) and says, "Madam account kholne ke liye proof kidhar hai?" Ration card, address proof, kuch bhi toh nahin hai hamare pass. Paise aate hai aur jaate hain. Din ka gujara ho jata hai.
Can nothing be done? I'm sure most of the others are in a better position than he was, but what about the percentage who are like him.
Leaving you with these thoughts, till the time I encounter something new.
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