Four Dudes and a Damsel: My Uber Drivers
"We know what we are, but know not what we may be." - Hamlet (William Shakespeare)
Switch-off the “mute mode”: The next time you take a ride with an Uber driver in Chandigarh, or elsewhere, take a moment to strike up a conversation. You might be surprised by the fascinating stories and unique perspectives that these drivers have to share. During my own recent rides around the City Beautiful, I had the chance to chat up with several drivers and learn about their experiences, from navigating the busy streets of Chandigarh to balancing their work with family life. Here are just a few of the highlights from my conversations with these hardworking and dedicated drivers (names changed to preserve their privacy).
The Radha Bhakt: Rakesh Yadav greeted me with “Radhe, Radhe”. He hailed from Brindavan, near Mathura in UP, and talked about the various temples dedicated to Radha that are located there. The relationship between Radha and Lord Krishna, in in his belief, represents the epitome of love and devotion to God, and he sees it as a divine love story. His own devotion to the deity was palpable and reflected the deep faith that many Indians have in their religion. Rakesh's insights into his faith were a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that India possesses.
From Jat-heartland: Sampat Singh, a Jat from Hisar district of Haryana, was happy with being an Uber driver as he owned the car. His key to success was to be up and about at 5:00 AM. He had already done four rides by the time I hired him at 7:45 AM. He also shared a useful tip, that on hot days he takes a one-hour break in the afternoon to rest and recharge (pun intended) before wrapping up his day by 9:00 PM. Sampat's work ethic and determination were inspiring, and highlighted the importance of hard work in achieving success.
The Malwa Dude: Manjinder Singh, from a village in a southern district of Punjab, talked about the performance of the local MLA. Despite belonging to the ruling party, the MLA's performance left much to be desired, he said. People were generally dissatisfied with their local representative. Manjinder's insights into the political landscape of Punjab was a testimony to the fact that the Punjabis are generally very aware politically and also highlighted the importance of having accountable representatives who truly work for the welfare of their constituents.
The devout Muslim: Arif Mohammad, from Nuh tehsil of Haryana, said that fasting (Rozas) in the month of Ramadan was no impediment to his job. Rather, he was up early, after eating before the sun was up. He said this was a month of expressing gratitude to Allah and said that he would also work on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, but after the “namaaz”. Arif's dedication to his faith and work was a reminder of the importance of balancing one's personal and professional lives, especially during the holy month.
Damsel at the wheel: Swarna Rani claims to be one of the five female Uber drivers in the region. Her father was a driver in the UT Chandigarh Administration, who died in harness. Her brother was offered the post of a peon by the Administration, whereas she chose to be an Uber driver, with her mother buying a Tata Indigo with the death-cum-retirement benefits of her late father. Initially, there was resistance within the family, but they agreed when she assured them that she would not be driving late in the evening. She had not faced any harassment from anyone, although some riders did cancel the ride when they realised their driver was going to be a female. This hasn't discouraged her in the slightest. Rani also mentioned that she has no intention of getting married anytime soon, although this may change after her younger brother gets married, she mused. Rani's story is an example of how women can break down barriers and succeed in male-dominated professions.
Everyone has a unique story: These Uber talks have been a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people who have chosen to drive for Uber. From Rajesh Kumar, who has seen the city of Chandigarh grow and develop before his very eyes, to Swarna Rani, who has broken down barriers in a male-dominated profession, each driver has a unique story to tell. Through their stories, we see the struggles and triumphs of everyday life and are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the challenges they have faced, these drivers have persevered and created a life for themselves and their families. Their stories serve as an inspiration to us all, a reminder that with hard work and determination, we too can overcome adversity and achieve our dreams.
The images are generated by the author using “Dream Studio”