The Travails Of A Rickshawala

Botu was a rickshaw puller. He came from a very impoverished family. There was not much Botu could do to change his circumstances. His was a family that was into poverty for many generations now. The family moved on with the vicious cycle of low income, malnutrition and little or no education. None from their family had moved on beyond primary school. In fact, he was the first in his family to study till class eight. But he had to drop out because there was no income support and on the other hand his efforts were needed to feed so many mouths. His father, a tenant farmer was mostly without work round the year. His mother and two sisters used to do menial jobs and household chores of others for a paltry sum. So Botu's world was not very bright and happy.

But Botu was a dreamer and a happy go lucky sort of a fellow. He never blamed anyone for his miseries. On the other hand, he used to dream a lot. He used to dream big. One day he would have enough money to feed his family and make his parents happy and proud. But he never knew if that was ever possible.

Botu now knew that he had to work to make money. They used to live by the railway tracks in a dilapidated shanty which shook every time a train passed. He used to hear stories of many from their slum going to the big city for work. Because there was not any dearth of work there. One only had to work very hard and there was work always available. The money also there earned was good and after two good meals, one could save for the family. The lure of good money beckoned Botu to the city. One of Botu's neighbours used to pull rickshaws and made good money. With his help, Botu went to the city. There he learnt to ride a rickshaw and then like other rickshawalas took one on rent and started his work. He started enjoying his work. The feel of earning money and with his shirt pocket now heavy with loose change made him jubilant. He was very happy and knew that his needs were limited so he could carry good money home and give his mother. So he began going back home every day and started giving the much-needed money to his mother. Now with his help, the family was able to get two square meals daily. All was going well for Botu and family.

But life can spring up nasty surprises. Things rarely go according to plan. Among his fellow rickshaw pullers, there were some who rarely walked the straight road. Botu fell into their trap. One day Botu accompanied some of these friends to a little shanty where some people were gathered around and sitting with small clay tumblers in their hands. They were all drinking country liquor. At first Botu felt afraid and wanted to run away. But his friends assured him to savour a little and enjoy the feeling as little of this was of no harm. Botu tasted and enjoyed and felt his troubles were now over. The feeling was very powerful. This worked magic. Botu now could ill afford to miss a day here. He now began to squander most of what he saved. Later on he began to plunder most of what he earned. Sometimes there was quite of a hangover and forced Botu to stay back in the city for the night. As there was no shelter Botu along with his fellow comrades slept on the pavements of the roads. Many days he went empty stomach and slept on the pavement. Some old discarded card board cartons were used for bed and pillow. Lying on the pavements Botu got the freedom to dream. With country liquor and little or no food in the stomach gave the ingredients for dreams of fantasy which Botu dare avoid. But the next day when the hangover was gone did Botu feel guilty. He felt ashamed of his actions and the dramatic turn about in life. His also staying back in the city spooked him, making him feel thoughtless neglecting his family this way.

After he returned home in a few days his parents scolded him but also had kind words warning him from the dangers of drinking as they were aware of his activities. His family started pressing Botu for getting married as they felt marriage could reform him.

But Botu could hardly discard his bad habits. The lure for the drink was so strong that drew Botu like a magnet. Botu had seen the city life, it's riches, fun, and entertainment. He also wanted to be a part of it but his poverty was a big hindrance. He could be a part of all this only in his dreams. His dreams could be propelled only after he had a few pegs and he lay on the pavement to sleep. During this time he was really a king. The time was his and none could share this space and no one dare disturb him. What beautiful dreams he saw. One night he dreamt of having enough money of his own to buy his own cab and driving down proudly through the city roads. Driving his own cab gave him enough money to enjoy a sumptuous meal of biryani and kebab. During the day he had seen many a time the state Governor being driven in a motorcade with police pilot leading the way on motorbikes.

During one dream Botu picturised himself as the Governor being driven around in a motorcade. When the dream withered away as the sun arose Botu had to come to terms with the bitter truth. The bout of the country liquor in the evenings was the fuel for these absurd dreams but Botu indulged in them as it made him feel happy and contended. Botu wanted to get over all this but he knew he had a garguantan task ahead which was almost impossible for him to overcome. Instead of dreaming while sleeping on the pavement made Botu feel that he had achieved all that a man could achieve in one life. So death do us part was the thought which drew Botu towards bottle as the sun set on the city skyline.

A new story in his dream awaited Botu on the pavement as he lay down. Botu was the king with his rickshaw the limousine and the pavement his Palace. Let the dream continue Botu thought.