Like a quintessential backpacker, I tend to talk to whoever seems responsive to learn more about the place I am in. Today's chat was with an autowallah in Ahmedabad. He's a 58 year old native resident of Ahmedabad. His Muslim identity could be seen in his beard and skull cap. I amn't being judgemental, just thankful that communal harmony prevails in Gujarat and people are free to follow their customs.
Many autowallahs don't own their vehicles, they rent them on daily basis. So if they are not well, no costs and no income that day. I discovered that in Ahmedabad the daily rent for an auto is 150 while in Mumbai, it is 300 as Mumbai fares are higher. Mumbai certainly has higher costs of living.
Many autowallahs don't own their vehicles, they rent them on daily basis. So if they are not well, no costs and no income that day. I discovered that in Ahmedabad the daily rent for an auto is 150 while in Mumbai, it is 300 as Mumbai fares are higher. Mumbai certainly has higher costs of living.
This model is also followed by some cab companies where the cab driver can rent a car for the day. It appears quite a unique business model which works well in this particular service industry. Previously, I'd heard of this for cycle rickshaw pullers in Jabalpur. Though being a less vocal and mostly illiterate community, economic relations are hugely biased in favour of lenders in their case.
This was a short ramble on today's journey. I had this conversation while coming back from SEWA. The post about SEWA will go up under NGO section.
