A small
scooter wala in India starts his life early in the morning with lot of hopes; however in the end everything is same.
Recently I am being transferred from Moradabad to Ludhiana. It provides me lot of opportunity to
travel through lot small scooters. This scooter can take three
people at a time; however they are molded in Indian style to accommodate nine people. They charge approximately $0.1 from each passenger. They are easy way of travel for places inside the city.
In India every body does not afford there own convenience. Also mainly people visit big cities for purchasing from the nearby villages. These scooters run on many routes contacting hospital, bazaars and places. If they are not there then it will very difficult for people to travel. However their, own life is very difficult. They all run only on some predetermined routes only and nobody change there ways. They have made there scooter to accommodate 9 people, however many time they have to travel empty or half filled.
They have to pay the road taxes and the route charges. In India they also have to pass through lot of under the table adjustments also. They work for approximately 10 hours a day. This allows them 10-12 round trips. On average they can earn $ 5 a day. If the day is fine they can land up in $ 10 and if they day is bad they can have to compromise with the $ 2. Every day they hope to maximum. However there luck depends upon the rain or some VIP visiting that area, on that day they have to compromise with nothing.
Toady I have taken one of the scooter. I am the only traveler in his scooter. May be due to Republic day holiday people are not coming out of their houses. I can clearly see the worries on his face. He started with only me in scooter, because he has only limited time to wait. Every scooter is allowed ten minutes to fill. After that they have to leave. I am clearly able see the expectation of passengers on every turn of road on his face. Unfortunately he was not able to get any passenger till I left his scooter. I also felt bad for his bad day because he has not earned anything from these trips.
This is the story of one day. Life is continues journey of sorrow and happiness.
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