The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Pedalling hard to make a living

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Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Pedalling hard to make a living

Meera Srinivasan

Rickshaw wallahs struggle to cope with declining business, runaway costs

hard going A rickshaw puller. Photo: V. Ganesan.

The rocketing double digit inflation has impacted like a bomb on cycle rickshaw pullers. As they pedal along during these testing times, there’s little to look forward to. “On a good day, we make a little over 100 rupees. Otherwise, we get Rs.60-80. How can we run a family with this money?” asks D. Raja.

A. Thangaraj’s earnings support a family of seven. The 57-year-old says even if he works really hard all he can manage is money for food for his family. “My wife has arthritis and can’t work anymore. I can’t afford proper treatment for her,” he says.

“Share autos have eaten into our business. We are physically and emotionally drained now,” he adds.

However, one silver lining for them is the patronage they get from the Marwadi community. “But for them, my child can’t eat,” says Mr. Raja. But with limited patronage, they are unable to hike rates. “I charge the same 15 rupees from Central Station to Elephant Gate that I used to charge four years ago,” says Mr. Thangaraj.

K. Pandian pays a rent of Rs. 20 on the rickshaw every day. He saves some money every month and sends it by money order to his family in Ariyalur. What this means is that he can’t eat more than two meals per day. “If I eat thrice a day, I can’t save a penny. I have two children back home,” he points out.

“We don’t know any other job and even if we were willing to take up an agricultural job, it’s very difficult to find employment through the year. This is the toughest period I’ve ever faced in terms of finances,” he adds.

Many cycle rickshaw pullers are part of an associations that helps them with loans, but others choose to operate independently as membership costs Rs. 3,000.

Some even point to a possible nexus between a section of cycle rickshaw pullers and lodges around Broadway, wherein rickshaw wallahs are paid to bring in customers to the hotels.

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