Despite rapid increase in the population of motor vehicles, the last generation of rickshaw pullers survive to become part of temple island’s history
While the world has moved on to faster, more expensive ways of travelling, there is a group of ageing men in Srirangam who still pedal their customers over short distances. While the surviving group of cycle rickshaw drivers may soon become part of the temple island’s history, they themselves remain nonchalant. “From nearly 200 rickshaws, we stand reduced to less than 50 ,” says Chinnayan, who adds that it wouldn’t be too long before even these vanished from the roads. Among the oldest rickshaw drivers in Srirangam, Chinnayan has witnessed Tiruchi’s transition from using bullock carts and cycle rickshaws to autos and two-wheelers.
The rickshaw men at Srirangam have managed to survive the vehicular onslaught by sticking to their neighbourhood: “We depend on the residents here who make it a point to visit the temple at least once in a day,” says R. Selvaraj, another old timer. They do only short trips between five to six kilometers in and around Srirangam, and charge almost half the price of an auto ride, he adds.
A combination of factors like the temple, wider roads, lesser vehicular traffic and the short distances have made it viable for the cycle rickshaws of Srirangam to stay on. “However, elsewhere in Tiruchi, cycle rickshawdrivers probably couldn’t survive the rapid increase in population and motor vehicles,” he believes. Today, the only other places where cycle rickshaws can be spotted are the main guard gate and Gandhi market areas.
The steep rise in fuel prices, the absence of bargaining battles and the fact that they are clean modes of transportation have tipped the scales in favour of the cycle rickshaws of Srirangam. “I’d rather take a cycle rickshaw than an auto because they are cheaper and safer,” says N. Raghavan, who added that auto drivers charged minimum fare of Rs.40 irrespective of distance. For R. Sathya, the manual labour involved and the age of the drivers (55 to 60 years) makes her want to give them the money they ask for. “Besides, it does make you feel like you’re helping the environment in your own little way, every time you take rickshaw ride.”
Despite the continuing flow of customers, the rickshaw drivers manage to make only Rs.100 to 150 in a day. “Many of us here drive rented rickshaws and pay twenty rupees per day as rent,” says Xavier. The fact that most parents have switched to auto from rickshaws to take their children to school, has reduced their income further. “We try to compensate by doing trips throughout the day and also by occasionally working as daily wage labourers,” he says.
With most of their children working or studying, the rickshaw men know they are probably the last generation of cycle rickshaw drivers in Srirangam. “Though I studied up to class XI, I was more fascinated by the bullock cart, and later the cycle rickshaw when I was young,” says Chinnayan. The business, according to him, was so brisk back then that it was almost a good career option. “But now it’s nowhere close.”
Keywords: Srirangam history, temple island, cycle rickshaw, bullock carts
Pollution free is the cycle rickshaw. Rickshaw pullers are earning their lively hood. It is good for them not to compete with the charges charged by Auto Drivers. The local people are doing a good job to encourage them to carry their children to the schools. The city is small and in some routes the rush is less when compared to the main roads. The old also preferring to travel in rickshaws to encourage them when they go to the temple. On the whole, encouragement of rickshaws by locals is a good thing to comment.
I am travelling in USA for the last three months and I find cycle rickshaws (very well
maintained) in New York for easy way to commute to places of interest around the city.
Hence, some ways should be devised so that tourists and locals utilise these rickshaws at
reasonable rates that enable them to lead a descent life instead of portraying their wrong
side of labour.
There is no proud of saying we the last generation drivers and perhaps
becoming a content in the pages of the history will never beat the appetite. Being Adamant to adhere to the worldly changes will pull down
them to downtrodden state that will purposely affect their children's
prosperity, in turn. These rickshaw wallahs are risking themselves with
out endeavouring any possible risks in their life. They should abandon
this menial living and try for better living.
Its irony that there is so much gap between the ruling class and ruled class. The Government should play an active role in improving the lives of rickshaw pullers.
The last time when i went to Srirangam i got an opportunity to ride one of these. I was a lil excited but at the same time felt really bad when I witnessed how physically challenging it is to the elderly person who tries to pedal the rickshaw....
Since their number is not too high, government can easily try to aid them by gifting them with auto-rickshaws
This is not a surprise news article. Pl visit Dwarka in Delhi you can
find scores of cycle rickshaws near the metro stations. Many commuters
use these to travel to and from the nearby Sectors.
Islands can be made automobile free with rickshaws. And better rickshaws designed for
comfort of both traveller and driver
If they have to pull small children on these rickshaws for a fun ride, we need not mind. But, it is sad that these people, who are over 50, have to depend on cycle rickshaws for their livelihood!
Our state government should atleast give them autorickshaws to earn a living for themselves. That would be a thousand times better than giving TVs to every household.
I eally hope the hard-working auto rickshaw drivers survive and pass on their knowledge and skill to the next generation.
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