Call it elitist, call it against humanism.. shunned by most part of the world, Hand pulled Richshaws are a vibrant reality on the street of Kolkata. The last government wished to rehabilitate the rickshaw pullers, not mentioning exactly how they would proceed with the idea. The Rickshaw pullers have now become a part of the heritage of Calcutta, of which we can insanely boast of. It has attracted lovers, poets, writers and have become an inspirational storyline to Rudyard Kipling, Dominique Lapierre… while films like “Do beegha zameen”, and the “city of Joy” had a prominent character of the rickshaw in their story.
The government has no proper plans to rehabilitate, parents find their kids easily transported to their schools, Calcutta is able to keep on to the inhuman custom.. while the vast majority of rickshaw pullers from the state of Bihar find some occupation.. Where are we actually standing?
Photograph courtesy : Anirban Saha Photography
Its really a topic of debate. Well personally I think the custom is inhuman but on the other hand some people say that they are having a profession. It seems to me like, they are still pulling rickshaws coz they get money ..but if checked on ethical grounds , its wrong..but at the same time , can we arrange for some other means of earning 4 them? if not then taking away from them their work will again be unethical…so its a confusion really , it all depends on what govt. can arrange for them…but i really feel very bad seeing specially old rickshaw pullers pulling young people …thats why i dont prefer that mode of transport …
who’s feet are those ??
those are my feet 😀