How was your career in the hotel industry?
When I was promoted as Senior Captain it was a highpoint. It helped me interact with businessmen, corporate clients, film celebrities and foreigners. I once spent 45 minutes with the legendary Dilip Kumar. I also interacted with filmstars like Dev Anand, Dharmendra, Anupam Kher, Lalita Pawar, Salman Khan, Arbaz Khan, and cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Ramiz Raza and so on.
Why were you disillusioned then?
I began with a gross monthly salary of Rs. 2,275 at the Holiday Inn in 1996, and when I left Sun-n-Sand, another 5 star hotel 17 years later, I was drawing a gross monthly salary of Rs. 10,612. It dawned on me that the payment was not commensurate with the effort I was putting in. Though guests were charged high, employees were paid a pittance. Like every parent, I too wanted to give my children better education and save for their future and my retirement. Taking up a part time business was also impossible due to my work shifts.
What made you turn to auto driving?
Resigning in 2011, I started my own catering business, ‘Lucknowi Chicken Biryani’ with my wife Zeenat. The tiffin services we provided to the students of the Bharati Vidyapeeth had to unfortunately close shop after two years, due to a hike in raw material cost and other reasons like hiked rent which lowered the profit margin. It was around this time that one of my brothers offered me his autorickshaw to drive, as I had an autorickshaw licence since 1990.
How has been your experience driving an auto?
Well, I do get tired sometimes, but then it is my only income source. I drive from 8.30 a.m to 9.00 p.m. Further, like
other drivers, I too have to queue for around 2 to 3 hours for a CNG refuel. People feel it’s easy driving an auto, but after a couple of years one starts developing back problems, thanks to our pathetic roads. Most of the Pune roads are in a really bad condition. To top it, the narrow roads, especially inside the city, make driving difficult. Most two wheelers drive without a road sense. But I take care of my vehicle, check the oil levels and the air pressure of tyres and use genuine auto parts, gas, engine oil and so on. By God’s grace, I have not yet been involved in any major accident. But young bike drivers scare me. My only aim is to drop passengers safely to their destination. I feel I am now able to give ample time to family and earn some good amount of money honestly. As I am educated and have worked in the hospitality industry, I am able to understand my passengers, who are also delighted to have me speak to them in English and travel becomes pleasant. A passenger was once complaining to his friend about how autorickshaw drivers cheat, at which point I interrupted in English, explaining how my profession works. They were stunned and said that I had changed their perspective about auto drivers!
Is it easy to get fare? How do your passengers behave?
With the expansion of Pune and so many I.T. companies, my profession should face good times. Frankly, I don’t refuse to go to any area. So it’s quite easy to get a fare. We are affected by the illegal ‘share auto’ nexus which hits us hard. Such drivers charge the customers double or triple the fare in suburban areas. Otherwise, it is a fun experience. Some passengers get close to you, while others don’t even respond. Some offer you a big tip while others haggle over return change of even one rupee! All in all, I feel that I enjoy driving my autorickshaw and take all incidents in a positive way. If your tongue is sweet and polite, you can easily overcome all issues. I have many regular passengers. Some of them insist that they will travel only in my auto. And if I am unable to make it on time to pick them up, they even cancel their programme!
What’s the funniest incident that’s happened to you as a driver?
Once at night I took in three passengers, who were animated and cracking adult jokes in English. Later, when I spoke to them in English, they were stunned and sheepish that I might have understood their jokes! Passengers are of the opinion that auto drivers tweak their meters and demand extra money. Moreover they are unfair and rude. How true is it? Yes, I agree. While everyone should work hard, some auto drivers do demand extra fare at times. They may have valid reasons like not being able to get return fare, or the area they have to go may be dangerous. Consider us human beings. When we refuse a fare, we get abused. But it is also true that some auto drivers start arguing and using unfair and rude language. I definitely don’t support this.
If you had another shot at making a choice, what profession would you pick?
As a student, I always dreamed of becoming a lawyer or joining the Indian Army. Financial problems made me join the hotel industry. While I am happy with my profession and earn enough, had I another choice, I would open an authentic North Indian cuisine restaurant, for people of Pune love such food!
Are you part of any union?
Yes, of the ‘Pune Shahar (Zilla) Vahatuk Seva Sanghatana,’ which interacts with Pune RTO and other related departments to address corruption issues and also upgrade the auto drivers’ living standards.
How religious are you?
I am religious and strongly believe in Allah and try my best to follow the Quran’s moral instructions. My only wish is that I am able to perform Haj at least once in my life.
[/column][column size=”4/5″]
A. Radhakrishnan
The writer is a freelance journalist, short story writer, and poet based in Pune.[/column]