“Madurai by-pass, Madurai by-pass, Madurai…,” bus conductor K Sivashanmugam stands by his bus, calling out its destination. It’s a chaotic Sunday morning in Coimbatore’s Singanallur Bus Stand. Leaving behind thunderous bus honks, screeching tyres, and the smell of exhaust and urine, the bus to Madurai trundles towards the exit of the depot, mingling with the city’s traffic. Sivashanmugam, dressed in blue uniform, a bag secured under his arm, stands facing the passengers, and clears his throat.
“ Vanakkam ,” he says, in his booming voice, welcoming them to the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation’s bus service. “The Government has given us a beautiful bus, so please help us keep it clean. Do not litter,” he says. “I have pulippu mittai (tamarind candy) to offer people with motion sickness, and a sick bag too. So feel free to ask.” He speaks genially. His voice that rises over the din outside, commands respect.
The 52-year-old then goes on to spell the fares: “To Palladam, a ticket costs ₹25, Dharapuram, ₹57, and for Madurai, it’s ₹170,” and adds, “Each of you here has a purpose behind this journey. I hope you achieve it. Our beloved driver, Sadhasivam, and I wish you a pleasant and comfortable journey. I’m right here if you need anything.”
This is Sivashanmugam’s welcome address. Last week, a video of his speech was circulated on social media. The viral video got him instant recognition. Seven news channels have approached him so far. Why does a simple welcome address garner so much attention? For one, our bus conductors, perhaps owing to work-related stress, are mostly not in a mood for friendly chitchat, and Sivashanmugam, is a breath of fresh air.
“I’ve been with the TNSTC (Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation) for 23 years,” he says. His welcome address is a new addition to his routine. “We were given a new bus a few months ago, and I hoped our passengers would maintain it.” Sivashanmugam also drew inspiration from a Coimbatore-based bus conductor who initiated every journey by reciting a couplet from the Thirukkural to his passengers.
“This is my way of making passengers start a journey with a happy frame of mind,” says Sivashanmugam. The man smiles at the end of every sentence. It’s not easy travelling in a bus for over 10 hours every alternate day. “But I’m used to it,” he says. “I was in my prime when I joined the Corporation, and back then, it was a breeze to be on the road through the day,” he smiles.
The man is pleasantly surprised at all the attention he is getting. Point out that what he does is similar to the welcome addresses the cabin crew deliver on flights and he laughs, “I’ve never stepped into an airplane in my life.”
