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Indispensable `Driver Uncles'
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They are omnipresent in the city, ferrying groups of noisy children to school and back in autorickshaws and small vans. JOHNY PAZHANILATH talks to these `Driver Uncles'.
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AFTER TWO `dry' months they are back. Dashing from one doorstep to another, whizzing from one school to another, these men have suddenly become as busy as bees. They drive into your car porch with that disarming smile, and grabbing the little one, they virtually vanish, while the child next door waits for that blaring vehicle horn. They run the numerous vehicles that ferry children, regularly to school.
For many these `Driver Uncles,' who drive the autorickshaws, omni vans and cars, have become indispensable. The unrelenting pre-primary kids, who make a big fuss to go to school, very often relent to the toffee-offering Driver Uncle. No surprise then that more parents now prefer these vehicles, which pick up their children from their doorstep and at very convenient timings. This has been one reason why there has been a significant increase in the number of these vehicles
"In Kochi city alone, there are over 400 such operators who make a living by ferrying children to various schools," says Velayudhan, 53, of Cheranelloor, who began this job of ferrying children to schools 29 years ago. In an old model autorickshaw and with six students, he was the first man to start this service, taking students to and back from the Chinmaya Vidyalaya, which had then begun its L.K.G section from a thatched shed on Warriam Road.
"The kids I shuttled to school nearly 30 years ago are now highly-paid, top officials in Mumbai and Delhi. Many of them still call on me when they happen to visit Kochi," says Mr. Velayudhan, whose four-member family is solely dependent on this service.
Shaji, from Kadavanthra, who started off as an autorickshaw driver and now operates a school van, also depends heavily on this job to keep his family going. "I started this 12 years ago, with a rented autorickshaw and one kindergarten student. As the number of students increased, I bought a second hand omni van with a loan from a private finance company. Today I have more than 25 students, forcing me to replace the omni with a more spacious Voyager," says Mr. Shaji, whose wife Raji doubles up as an ayah and minds the door of his vehicle. "We earn around Rs.11, 500 a month. After paying the loan instalment and for the fuel, we are able to manage with a meagre income," reveals Mr. Shaji.
The case of Ganesh, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram, but has been in Kochi for the past eight years, is no different. Like many others this 25-year-old began with an antiquated autorickshaw. He now has nearly 30 students, from various schools in the city, and charges Rs. 250 to Rs. 300 per child. "Last month, I had to pledge my property to buy a second hand van. Some parents also helped me," says Mr. Ganesh.
In fact, there are many private vehicles operating in this sector that earn an extra income even while violating the taxi rules. Many parents, who own omni vans, have moved into this business. They pick up and drop children from their neighbouring areas, for a charge, along with their own wards. "While I take my two children to school, I also drop the children of my neighbour. The monthly fee that I get from them helps me pay my loan instalment," says Ramesh.
Interestingly, while many operators are using rented vehicles, some have made it big with a fleet of vehicles. They believe that they have been able to be successful and win the confidence of the public only because of their hard work, sincerity and reliable service. "It's a highly responsible job. A punctured tyre or an engine snag can have the parents on tenterhooks. And an irresponsible act can end in not only losing the confidence of the parents but also in losing the job. There have been so many occasions when I had to ignore my personal emergencies to drop the children to school in time," says Kunjumon, who runs a school van service at South Chittoor. This 42-year-old, who began this job with an autorickshaw in 1988, now has more than 200 students and five vehicles. His venture also employs five others. "In fact, as an appreciation of our service many rich parents have come forward to help me buy new vehicles." But he had to avail himself of a loan of Rs. 3 lakhs to add more vehicles to his fleet. And what does he earn from this business? "Of course, I do manage to earn a decent income," he replies with a meaningful smile. No wonder, for Mr. Kunjumon often takes his students on picnics to Cherai Beach or Maria Park besides getting them ice cream occasionally.
Winning the affection of the children and the confidence of their parents is the secret for stability in this business. It calls for a lot of patience and perseverance. "The other day one boy broke my imported car stereo, while another one tore off the upholstery of the seat. But we have to behave and tolerate them, like we do our own children," feels Mr. Shaji. According to Mr. Velayudhan this job has its advantages. "It keeps me young. Whatever be your mental agonies, you are forced to leave them behind when you are in the company of these bubbling children."
Despite the fact that many schools ply their own buses this tribe of private vehicles is growing enormously. Why does this happen? "The school buses never reach the interior places. The private operators reach your doorstep to pick up your child, at a very convenient time and take much shorter time to reach school and back. Moreover, many school managements are reluctant to add more buses to those routes, which are dominated now by the private operators," states Shema Das, who depends on a private vehicle to send her son to school. There is also a flip side to this business of private operators. Very often many who jump into this small-capital business tend to ignore basic safety measures in their insatiable quest to make quick money. A large number of operators in the city still use LPG cylinders in order to reduce their fuel expenses. They also, in a bid to accommodate more students, make the young ones sit on the cylinders. While autorickshaws are not permitted to carry more than three passengers many operators pack children in their vehicles like sardines. "They are risking the lives of these innocent kids," says Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S. Sasikumar. "I've given strict instruction to take action against these offenders," he adds.
If these instructions are implemented strictly, perhaps some `Driver Uncles' would have to go off the roads.
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