Delhi’s auto drivers find support in NGO
They are arrogant, non-cooperative and viewed with suspicion by one and all. An NGO, Nyayabhoomi, however, begs to differ. The organisation is active in the capital working for the auto rickshaw drivers.
Trending Photos
New Delhi: They are arrogant, non-cooperative
and viewed with suspicion by one and all. Delhi’s ubiquitous
auto-rickshaw drivers would hardly find any sympathisers given
their notoriety to overcharge and break traffic rules with
impunity.
An NGO, Nyayabhoomi, however, begs to differ. The
organisation is active in the capital working for the auto
rickshaw drivers.
The NGO, led by Retd Lt Col B B Sharan and
industrialist-turned-social activist Rakesh Agarwal believes
that "unlike popular perception the auto-rickshaw drivers in
the capital are not anti-social, and they are not criminals."
The organization teaches them about the public behaviour
and responsibilities expected from them. NGO activists hold
for them informative briefings on motor vehicle acts, traffic
guidelines, transport department’s rules and regulations.
"Through meetings they are also taught how to accept
challans, respond to notices, fight cases in the court, to
understand different offences under Motor Vehicles Act," says
Rakesh Agarwal, secretary of Nyayabhoomi.
"The stressful and monotonous daily routine is the root
cause for the rude behaviour of the drivers. We make them
understand the value of a good family life in their
profession," says Rakesh Agarwal.
"There are few who understand the difficult life of being
an autorickshaw driver in the capital and one among them is
Nyayabhoomi, says Mohd Ansari, an auto-rickshaw driver from
Pandav Nagar who has recently joined the NGO.
"I would bribe and tolerate cops’ unacceptable behaviour
of the police due to ignorance. But now I don`t, as
Nyayabhoomi has made me aware of my rights and duties," claims
Ramesh, an auto-rickshaw driver from Connaught Place.
It’s not only Ramesh but several other members of the
organisation like him who are now leading a happy life. Since
its inception in October 2002, Nyayabhoomi is striving hard to
improve the plight of these auto-rickshaw drivers and teach
them lessons in good behaviour.
The organisation has a network of 100+ volunteers with
common emergency helpline numbers to help its members
promptly. The NGO also has designated lawyers in the sessions
and district courts of the city to enable all sorts of legal
help at a nominal cost to the members.
At present it has around 2500 members and the NGO makes
efforts to ensure that its members are accountable to the
commuters as well as authorities. "We try to ensure that these
drivers abide by all the guidelines issued by authorities,"
adds Agarwal.
The organization’s efforts are supported by the people
also. "I was really astonished to see polite behaviour from
these drivers. The common perception I had about them was
that of goons and group of dishonest guys. Now, some of them
are as humble as civilized ones. It’s really good, said
Chandra Shekhar Singh, a software professional.
Of late the Nyayabhoomi has published a ready reckoner
"samadhan" that has useful information for the auto-rickshaw
drivers as well as for the common man. It has sample
applications to answer notices, brief on offences under the Motor
Vehicles Act, information on Right To Information Act,
guidelines on getting license, badges, permits, registration
certificates and release of impounded vehicles from court.
"Everyday we get a number of suggestions and feed back
on `samadhaan`. We are really happy to note that our efforts
are bringing in results" says Agarwal.
"Many don’t know that accepting challans means
acknowledging your faults that you may not be guilty of.
Traffic police have no right to confiscate vehicles. It is
totally illegal. We have planned to file a Public Interest
Litigation (PIL) on many such issues," he says.
According to a rough estimate, Delhi has more than 50,000
auto-rickshaws and 1,00,000 drivers and Nyayabhoomi is
committed to reform the lives of these men.
Nyayabhoomi is also trying to uplift their living standards
by encouraging drivers to educate their children, save money
for the future and maintain a hassle-free social existence.
"I was disappointed by the way auto drivers behave with the
passengers. That was the time I decided to set up an
organization to help this community," says
Agarwal.
Bureau Report
Advertisement
Live Tv
Advertisement