Rickshaw Rowdy needs no introduction. He can always been seen loafing around at the neighbourhood rickshaw stand, refusing to drive to any location, whether the beauty parlour or the airport. No distance is long enough for him. I decided to interview him to understand his opinion on the economy, among other things.
Aunty: Rowdy, how is it going today?
Rowdy: Very good. I have refused 6 customers already. And the day has just begun
Aunty: It must be difficult to survive with this kind of inflation isn’t it?
Rowdy: Yes madam, till now I was telling my boys to ask for one and half times the fare from customers. Now I am telling them to collect double fare.
Aunty: Are people willing to pay double fare? Isn’t this extortion?
Rowdy: No choice madam. Ober, Ula, all drivers cancelling booking after accepting. Public fed up of Ober and Ula.
Aunty: Is there anything you want to say to the finance minister?
Rowdy: Yes madam. Next election the government should provide us free auto rickshaws.
Aunty: But you guys are barely driving the ones you have
Rowdy: Not for driving madam, only for putting in queue. When customer looking at long queue, customer thinking this is important place. Like bus depot. We get more respect
Aunty: That is nonsensical logic. Anyways, what else do you want to say to the FM?
Rowdy: Madam they should make Pushpa movie tax free and run it in a theatre for full one year. Super movie madam. I have seen 3 times already. I want to be like Pushpa anna
Aunty: You want to be sandalwood smuggler?
Rowdy: Shiva Shiva Shiva! I only want to be strong like him so I can beat all rowdies
Aunty: People say you are a rowdy yourself. Baby Malini was complaining that you ogle at her when she goes to office
Rowdy: I don’t even know Baby Malini madam. I only know Hema Malini. How can I ogle at Hema madam. She is like my mother
Aunty: Tell us about your family.
Rowdy: Forget about my family madam. I want to tell you that I fully support Subramanian Swamy uncle. He was saying that we will thrash China and conquer it. He is so brave and tough like Pushpa anna.
Aunty: Good heavens Rowdy! What has this got to do with the economy?
Rowdy: If Swamy uncle is conquering China, I am able to start hafta collection business in China also. I am knowing that China is having big population like India madam.
Aunty: Very interesting. What other plans do you have?
Rowdy: I want President anna to lauch e-Rickshaws. Then I will invest in charging stations.
Aunty: That’s nice. But I guess you will need a bank loan for that.
Rowdy: No madam, I will use that empty plot next to rickshaw stand and just connect a wire to the restaurant next door. No one will know
Aunty: It’s not as simple as that. You need proper charging stations
Rowdy: Look madam, when your mobile charger spoiling, you are using any charger no? It is charging and your mobile is working. What is the problem? It is e-Rickshaw, not some rocket.
Aunty: Ok Rowdy, thanks for talking to us. We wish you all the best for your Chinese halfta business and illegal charging stations
Rowdy: Thank you madam. You are very nice. Not like onion at all.
As you can see, the commonest of common people, like Rickshaw Rowdy are being forced to get into multiple businesses because of economic hardship. We hope Mr. Swamy is listening and will invade China soon.