Elimination of rickshaws
Only in Bangladesh perhaps does one come across such blatant disregard for one's fellow citizens. I don't believe that any child or its parents wake up one fine day and declare that his future lies in rickshaw-pulling. It appears that ever since the British colonial rulers imported this mode of transport from China, unskilled men and boys from poor families have had to drift to this awful and demeaning occupation.
So let us imagine Dhaka without rickshaws. Then what happens? How will the vast majority of commuters travel? Are they suddenly going to be presented with pristine pavements, safe pedestrian crossings and clean and reasonably priced public transport? When I first encountered the term 'VIP' roads I assumed it stood for something else there must be others like myself who find this term offensive which belittles the majority of the population.
What about environmental issues? How will we cope with the pollution that will be created by all those fuel driven monster machines? What will happen when fossil fuel dries up soon?
Rickshaw-pullers are caught between the frustrations of their passengers and the beleaguered traffic police who often vent their anger on them. Note how often traffic police will batter a rickshaw-puller for offences for which they dare not punish a car driver? Note how often people here will use a rickshaw for a very short distance instead of walking? Note how often passengers negotiate for measly fares when it is apparent that they would not think twice about spending double or triple that amount for something else? Note how often passengers treat rickshaw pullers like beasts of burden? How many Bangladeshis can you fit into one rickshaw and how many ever feel any shame about being carried and pulled by one thin rickshaw puller?
Until and unless they are provided with alternative skills and options as citizens of this country and a more viable and intelligent road transport system is introduced, please let us acknowledge and celebrate the service they provide.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments