Autorickshaw drivers in Kozhikode have always been considered the city’s biggest blessing for their honesty and goodness of heart. While honouring them, at a venue named after Noushad, the autorickshaw driver who lost his life in a manhole while saving two labourers, the ‘Madhura Kozhikode - Keralappiravi’ celebration here on Wednesday was also a platform to discuss the recent incidents that tarnished that image.
“The allegations are true,” said Mammad Koya, convener of the Auto Coordination Committee. “There are a few who have been charging excessively while some refused to go to certain destinations. There are other malpractices too. Many youngsters do not stay in the field for more than six months. They wouldn’t join any union and hence we don’t get to create awareness among them. Police can help in this regard by nabbing all those drivers who do not possess an identity card,” he said.
A lot of complaints were raised about the drivers in the fourth platform of Kozhikode railway station, who, Mr. Koya claimed, were not following the rules and thwarting the opportunity for the disciplined drivers waiting in the queue.
‘Madhura Kozhikode’, organised by the district panchayat in association with Green Care Mission and NSS Farook College unit, was opened by district panchayat president Babu Parasseri. It was an avenue to honour the ‘blessings of Kozhikode’ that included the Kozhikode unit of the Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association for helping to implement ‘Operation Sulaimani’, P. Vijayan, IG of Police, for starting the Student Police Cadet scheme, and the club Akshara Koolimadu for keeping the Koolimadu region tobacco- free for the last 30 years, besides the autorickshaw drivers. Kathakali guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair honoured them.
Madhura Kozhikode was organised to highlight the virtues of Kozhikode through three feasts, Eshal Salkaram (musical feast), Sulaimani Salkaram (black tea feast) and Orma Thakkaram (feast of memories). Singer V.T. Murali opened Eshal Salkaram which was presented by Sarangi Orchestra. Sulaimani Salkaram was opened by actor Mamukoya in which Sulaimani was distributed to around 5,000 people on the Kozhikode beach. Writer P.K. Parakkadavu opened Orma Thakkaram which was led by historian M.G.S. Narayanan, who recalled some of his golden memories about the city.
‘Malabar Nanma’, an exhibition of photographs on the virtues of Malabar, was opened by Kamal Varadoor, president of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists.
Secretary of Kerala Olympic Association P.A. Hamza presided over the programme.
