I have nothing particular to do with rickshaws.Neither do i have a soft-corner for them. But nonetheless i take them to office whenever i go, and in fact take them wherever i can. They are small ,irritating and gruelling .It sometimes feels like they are fitted with amplifiers.One jerk on the road and they go flying high in the air.Urban alternative to bullock cart.Poor rickshawallah whisks his rickshaw all day through the traffic ,meandering it through curves and tilting it on the rocky terrain specially created for us by PWD.(speed breaker) devoiding me of the opportunity to become prince(saving me from falling into open manholes along the road).I am comfortably seated on the rickshaw all this time enjoying the regular roller coaster of delhi roads. The rickshaw jumps,jerks,swerves and squeals but I reach office in time and hurl my 20 rs towards the rickshaw driver rather unthankfully.
My journey ends.But another one begins.From the building gates to the office lift.from office lift to second floor.From second floor to my desk.The rickshaw just follows me wherever i go...i somehow can't get over the images of rickshaws scurrying in the backdrop of gurgaon sky scrapers.There is something quintessentially old world about this.The Rickshaws are eco friendly, don't create noise when they run,they don't have the potential to kill.Their horn creates tingling in the ear. But you can't ignore them.They manage to create a stir inspite of the city noise and blur of vehicles.They can't protect you in rain or sun or can't even make you reach fastly.That's one reason why i like them.
They don't prevent me from seeing the sun.They keep me close to drops of rain.They help me see the potholes which i have learnt to ignore(courtesy four wheelers).We may ignore problems but that doesn't cease their existence.They teach me how one can prepare for ascent or descent in life.They teach me to read the contours of the sky.They teach me how to make amends,to repair what i spoil.They have taught me to read the signs of time.They inspire me to be myself inspite of everyone.They teach how not to get bogged down by a towering personality.They teach me how to be different in this mundane world. And the best gift they give me.......they slow down time........so that i get more time with myself around.
They give me all that this city can't.Sun,rain,fun,time and something that i had lost....myself.And yet i clearly acknowledge in the breathe of Delhi 'air'...what's so spectacular about a rickshaw??i wonder why they are there?
They don't prevent me from seeing the sun.They keep me close to drops of rain.They help me see the potholes which i have learnt to ignore(courtesy four wheelers).We may ignore problems but that doesn't cease their existence.They teach me how one can prepare for ascent or descent in life.They teach me to read the contours of the sky.They teach me how to make amends,to repair what i spoil.They have taught me to read the signs of time.They inspire me to be myself inspite of everyone.They teach how not to get bogged down by a towering personality.They teach me how to be different in this mundane world. And the best gift they give me.......they slow down time........so that i get more time with myself around.
They give me all that this city can't.Sun,rain,fun,time and something that i had lost....myself.And yet i clearly acknowledge in the breathe of Delhi 'air'...what's so spectacular about a rickshaw??i wonder why they are there?
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