Friday was
a normal day for me, a day just like any other. We had our radio recording
session, and then a seminar to attend. I got ready for college, the metro was
crowded as usual and I was in time for college.
After all
recording at the radio studio, five of us got in to two auto rickshaws to
travel to the Press Club of India for the seminar. As I travelled with two of
my friends Farheen and Fayeza, our auto rickshaw driver played old songs,
complimented a fellow auto rickshaw driver for his vehicle’s tyre, but drove
carefully! He overheard our conversation on studies and his interest surged,
asking us details of our college and course. We knew he wouldn’t understand
development communication, and told him we were studying mass communication.
Seeing his face, we explained, “Hum journalism/reporting padhte hai!” On
hearing the word ‘communication’, his eyes sparkled and he exclaimed, “Meri beti electronic and communication padh
rahi…B.Tech!” (My daughter is studying electronic and communication…B.Tech!)
Talking of
his daughter, he continued, “My second daughter has studied English Literature
from Delhi University, and my third child, my son, is preparing for civil
services exam.” We were stunned and looked at each other in disbelief! It is
rare that we hear such qualifications of an auto rickshaw driver’s children.
Here, by addressing him as ‘auto rickshaw driver’, I don’t intend to look down
upon the profession, but instead applaud the man for his story. When the income
itself is low, very few youngsters aspire to make it big. They have challenges
to face, not having enough money to pay their fees, and living in houses that
aren’t suitable for a decent standard of living.
Then, you
have the other side, where parents from low income background hardly send their
daughters for higher studies. The fact that the aforementioned auto rickshaw driver
sent his daughters for B.Tech and English Literature respectively, impressed
us. In a world where the gap between the rich and the poor is constantly
increasing, this man’s children surely have the determination to earn better
income. After all, what are educational qualifications for? For better jobs,
better income and better quality of life!
These youngsters
have the promise of a bright future, although unemployment in India is another
story altogether. However, this awe-inspiring story might be common to many of
you out there, but indeed, the grit and the determination of the youngsters
evoked praise amongst us. In the auto rickshaw driver’s words, “Dekho, aage aage hota hai kya!!”
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