This post was chosen as one of BlogAdda's Spicy Saturday Picks for December 19th '09.
This happened approximately 11 days ago, but my busy busy schedule forced me to post it so long later. Enjoy!
I was catching a Rickshaw to get to Bandra station from college. There was an idle rickshaw parked at the side of the road, & there was something different about it. For starters, it had a huge sticker low on the windshield with a picture of the 26/11 martyrs & some writing in Hindi or Marathi (not sure really! & I didn't manage to get a picture of it. Anyway, I told him my destination, he agreed, I got into the rickshaw, & he set off! Little did I realize how different this ride was going to be! I tried my best to capture what I could, but you have to understand, I only had my cell phone camera & those can be really lousy when one shakes. So some of the pictures are a little blurry!
For starters, I took a look at the meter. For those of you from out of Mumbai, this is how an auto-rickshaw meter generally looks like:
...above it there was a Laughing Buddha statue...
...and on it's side there were old Indian coins stuck (1 paisa, 2 paise, 5 paise, 10 paise etc.)
To the right of the rickshaw driver, there was a paper box with newspapers, below it was an ash-tray & beside it a fire extinguisher.
At the back of the rickshaw-driver's seat had a neat handwritten-list of all the malls, hospitals & major hotel's phone numbers & also police-station's phone-numbers (ones in the Bandra & Khar region).
Then there was other stuff-
Like this. Just above the entrance to the right...
... & this. Just above the entrance to the left: 25% discount for handicapped passengers & a 50% discount for blind passengers.
And the discounts don't end there... A 10% discount for newly married couples! He'd probably take the bridal mehendi & bangles as proof.
AND... wait for it... There was even a TV!!! It wasn't on though.
But I think what impressed me the most was this:
Also listed was the day's BSE & NSE index, the day's weather (humidity, sunrise & sunset timings).
This was obviously a very different experience for me. I still remember the looks on my friend's faces when I showed them the pictures & kept telling them of all the amenities this other-wise humble vehicle possessed.
If any of you Mumbaikars (or any of you guys just visiting Mumbai) would like to ride in this fancy rickshaw, here are his cell phone numbers- 9022416338 & 9594534368. If you do contact him & ride in his rickshaw, let me know!
xo
Awesome it is... Great Auto and nice capture of all the aspects in that auto :)
ReplyDeleteTalk about moving information! or inspiration. Great to see rickshaws competing to get a repeat customer no matter how difficult that might be.at least making the ride enjoyable notwithstanding the roads we have is truly to be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteenjoyed reading this post.
Wow! you had a total fun trip :)
ReplyDeleteGreat that you managed capturing it all in your mobile camera.
Hope your tooth is doing better by now.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic post.
Keep writing buddy, hope to see you around.
Cheers!!
That's a really cool auto! This guy sure knows how to keep his passengers entertained. Esp when you think about Bombay traffic! :P Nice post Mags! And great pics! Your mobile is awesome! :D
ReplyDeleteWOW!!To good an experience. And I am sure that, with facilities in place, he wouldn't be cheating the blind people off their discount. Great Captures!
ReplyDeleteInteresting.Apparently quite a few rickshaws sport these things.Check this out:
ReplyDeletehttp://knol.google.com/k/nishikant-kotgire/suvendu-roy-of-titan-industries-shares/2nqygeau3l47m/4?collectionId=14dmp09oqdm08.103#
The paper Box,the fire extinguisher and "pls help for old aged" sign is great!
What did the dude say when you scanned the entire auto rickshaw with your cell cam?
Simply mindblowing! It was very thoughtful of you to share this unique experience with your readers. Judging by his autorickshaw I sense a man who has been very ambitious in his life and wanted to do much more than driving this 3-wheeler!
ReplyDelete@Mohan- Thank You!
ReplyDelete@Gyanban- Yes, very much so! And Thank You.
@Chatterbox- Yes, I did! Dentist appointment is scheduled for this week. And thanks.
@Psych Babbler- Thank You (and by the way, I have a pretty humble phone. But it's very happy that you appreciated it!) :)
@Nilesh- Thanks!
@Matt- Enjoyed reading the article you referred. Freaky how the paper box & fire extinguisher are in the same spot. And on he windshield one can see the exact same thing I mentioned wit this rickshaw. Looks like some sort of 'cartel' at work here 9don't take it in a negative way!)Wish I would have been able to talk to this guy but I was alone so I'm a little bit shy & also my Hindi is poor. I tried to take the pics 'inconspicuously'!
ReplyDeleteAnyway I'm assuming he must be used to people taking pictures in his rickshaw!
@Vittal- Thank You. Yes you are right! I was thinking the same thing!
Good....unique pictures....!! Must have been a very unusual ride!! :)
ReplyDeletelol @ cartel.. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Nice header! :)
ReplyDelete@Rohit- Yes it was ! VERY unusual!
ReplyDelete@Matt- hehe. And thanks.
very intrsting post ... abt interesting mssges on a rick i just came across one at the back of a rickshaw which stated : capacity : 3 idiots , altho later i read the same mssg on 2 -3 others ,, so then i realized it was maybe an ad - campaign for that movie ,, altho whn i first saw it , i thot it was some funny rickshaw guy who thought this one up
ReplyDeleteAmazing Pictures. This is one proof that, when you love your job.., you can make the best of it and be happy!! - and ofcourse, people would envy you.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteA driver with some dedication!
YOu missed out a pic, I guess you shud have taken his pic along with the auto, I want to know how he looks!
Hey!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the 'Spicy Saturday pick'!
Nice post...!
I met a similar cab driver on a trip to New Zealand. After talkin to him i found out he makes more than double his competitors just by the amount of 'tip' he gets from his passengers...!
Best regards
@Madhu- Thank You. Yes I've seen those a lot, it was in the newspapers too, it's a promotion for 3 idiots. Mom was even jokingly telling me not to go in any of those rickshaws! But I asked her how I would see that when i was getting into one?
ReplyDelete@Vijay- Thanks. And I agree completely wit what you're saying.
@Pawan- Yeah, I did consider that, but I'm kinda shy, & I was alone. Would have definitely done that if I had someone accompanying me.
@Azad- Thanks! And same to you!
Hey, I would love to have a ride in this Rickshaw and it would be great if you could let me have this guys number, it is awesome that someone is doing something like this, very positive attitude.
ReplyDelete@Ryan- At first I was wondering whether it would be appropriate to give out his number (as it would seem like advertising), but now I realize, he deserves it! I've added his number(s) to the post. Do inform me if you end up riding in his rickshaw, I would love to know your experience too!
ReplyDeletesuperb photography.
ReplyDeleteAutos have always been inspirational...this is taking a step further, maybe they could teach some CRM tips or two...great photography, vivid description and a joy to read!!! :-)
ReplyDelete@Rohit- Yes it was ! VERY unusual!
ReplyDelete@Matt- hehe. And thanks.
Really unique and innovative. Wishing him good luck and great business
ReplyDeletejust loved this one. would like to know...did u ever meet him again? if yes, did u tell him about ur blog n how much attention his humane gestures have generated? m sure it will make his day.
ReplyDeletedo let me know if u meet him.
ReplyDeleteNo Aksharaa, haven't met him again yet! Even if I did, I'm not sure I would ell him. I'm very weak a Hindi & also shy. I didn't even say a word to him the first time!
ReplyDeleteoh! but u dont sound at all shy in the way u write. i really like reading ur
ReplyDeleteposts.
but i do think u must let him know if u meet him. there aren't many like him
, m sure.
and Magali, what does ur name mean? it sounds joyful!
by the way, do chk out my blog n tell me what u think. i have just started
bloggin and comments are encouraging!
http://aksharaa-justme.blogspot.com
You are not going to believe this! I just saw him again today, very briefly (after my English exam) Some guy hopped in & he sped away! Thanks for the wonderful compliment! *blushes*
ReplyDeleteTo know the meaning of my name, please check out the first few line on this page: http://www.magalic.com/p/more-about-me.html
Yes I have seen your blog, unfortunately these days I do not get to spend as much time reading blogs as I would like. But I will still try, because I know how much each comment means, especially in the beginning. :)
Actually this all because they feel their vehicles as their homes and there is feeling which keep close to their rickshaw and their heart. Might this because of their love for it.Good photos.
ReplyDeleteAwesome read and thanx for sharing..!!
ReplyDeleteInnovative guy with entrepreneural traits
Wow!!! Would love to ride in his auto..wish i was in bombay..miss bombay so much!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! The Auto guy is a perfect example for those who believe in doing things differently rather than doing different things.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am so glad i landed on this post. I had read this years back, but didn't know it was you :)
ReplyDeleteI never found this guy. I guess i should call :)
Love,
ila
http://www.thefleamarketqueen.blogspot.in/