The plight of Rickshaw pullers

The scorching sun has burnt all the nerves of human and altering their lives. At one point of time it’s very horrifying to get out of the house in the burning sun yet it’s imperative for the rickshaw pullers to step out and struggle for livelihood. The condition under this terrifying weather makes us feel like a burnt toast and the awful stream of sweat falling as hot dew drops are something   very ill at ease to sense and imagine .The rickshaw pullers are one such personality that endures such a harsh weather   which is yet impossible for people who can’t stay a day without air conditioners.

“It’s very   terrible bearing the harsh   weather   soaring heights   of maximum 40 degrees temperatures”, says Ramlal a rickshaw puller. It is the metro station that provides the roof in times of unbearable heat. During the whole course of getting baked in the sun Rs. 200 to 300 is the daily wage that comes along. But the outrage that is endured is yet not good enough to get paid. “Kabhi Kabhi to kuch nahi milta, phir bhi is kadi dhoob mein hum khade rehte hai…” These lines are heard often.  The heat and the anger controlled are never appreciated by people.

The atrocious life of rickshaw pullers in East Delhi is horrifying as there is no such place that provides shelter to them in the heat.  Rickshaw pullers are seen resting on their rickshaws, more likely around the road side in times of fearful heat.  The sheer sensation of just stepping out of the house is shivering but the extreme conditions that are faced by the rickshaw pullers are not bothered by anyone. The passengers fight if there is slight increase in the fare but they forget to notice the hard work the pullers put in the heated temperatures.

“Itni garmi mein rickshaw chalana …bimari to lagi rehti hai…., says Laxman, a 50 year old”. 

The outcome of sun is seen on our faces as sunburns are seen all over the face. The burnt faces with the sweaty clothes are uncomfortable but there’s nothing that can be much done. “Paise kamane hai toh pasina to bahana padeda says, Harilal”.  There are conditions when the body feels hefty tired. At the end it’s again the same fight with the rickshaw owners shouting   for the compensation of their rickshaws and if there are no earnings for the day, the owners simply reject to give their rickshaws the next time.

The life of rickshaw pullers is not as easy as we simply think. The constant hard work not witnessing how cold or hot the season is, their hope for making their livelihood is never stopped.    We simply can’t ignore rickshaw pullers as they are the main commuters for communication between two places.  They play the role of transport within short distances and a major chunk of communication is done with rickshaws only.