Autorickshaw Confessions

Autos are indispensible to the denizens of Chennai. Inspite of the million insults, complaints and rants against these three wheel contraptions, we cannot do without them. I harbor no qualms in admitting that I am a big fan of the autorickshaw and that they are the real kings of Chennai.

Two sundays back, I chose to ride the autorickshaw home from the airport. I had just returned from Delhi and was not in the best of spirits or shape thanks to a horrible flight. All that I wanted was to head home and wallow in a cold shower. I got negotiating fares with an autorickshaw driver, unnaturally persistent who told me he was charging less because I looked like a student. Deciding to ride with him and expecting interesting perspectives, I engaged him in casual conversation. He was from Dindivanam, a small village about 100 kms from Chennai. He studied upto the 12th, spending most of his time playing cricket with his friends, until he realized that they are people looking upto him for support in all form. He got in touch with an uncle in Chennai and,landed here 6 months back and absolutely loves what he does. The police in Chennai were a hassle initially, stopping him at every nook and corner but now he's a master of their game now. The stand concept he says, is paramount importance. If you are part of a specific autostand, you've got to be loyal to that place.

"Its a rats race", he sighs and revs the engine. He has to be on the move all the time and hardly has time to relax. he eats at the local kai yendhi Bhavans ( the small roadside restaurants ), not sparing more than 10 minutes for a meal, lest he misses a savaari ( ride-a potential customer). His parents are happy he says, although they keep asking him to take care of himself and not worry about them. He thinks otherwise. He talks proudly of his brother who, according to him is studying very well. He pauses for a second-contemplative, a bit remorseful and then says he is confident that he will ensure a comfortable life for everyone at home, even if it involved spending more time on the road.

He misses his town and his friends. He misses playing cricket at home, though hes had a chance to play a couple of times here. He's a fan of Ilaya Thalapathi Vijay and has bunked school to watch his movies. But sadly, he hasn't seen a movie in last one year. He tells me that the worst is to have to put up with people who have no clue how difficult it is to make a living in an alien place. The people who keep telling his parents that his son is in the city so he wouldnt have any problems as he is making a lot of money there. As he dropped me off, I paid him more than what I bargained for. He thanked me before I could and told me that its not often that he talked so much.

hmmm...