School boy strives to help auto drivers

In a unique initiative, a young boy conducted a survey to help the auto drivers by bringing solutions to their basic requirements and <g data-gr-id="50">problems,</g> and to rectify their image. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has responded to his survey and has assured that the problems faced by auto drivers will be rectified as soon as possible. Also, autos from now on will have display boards with ‘On Duty’ or ‘Off duty’ to minimize confusion regarding the working hours of these drivers.

Around two years ago, Priyanshu Kumar Jain, a student of DPS R K Puram, misplaced his mobile phone in an auto. He thought his phone was gone for good. To his surprise, however, he found the auto driver looking for him in the building with his mobile phone in hand. This incident goaded Priyanshu to conduct an enquiry into the not so amiable image of auto drivers, as well as into their problems. He started talking to the auto drivers, he also studied the issues related to them in depth. He prepared a questionnaire, which he circulated among auto drivers, students and adults, in the national Capital. After going around the city and meeting more than hundred drivers at different locations, Priyanshu found a lot of discrepancies in the opinion of people, passengers and the fellow auto drivers. 

He found that the bulk of the student populace, majorly young girls and women, preferred traveling by autos, because they are generally safer than taxis. Yet, most youngsters and others do not treat the auto drivers with either courtesy or respect. 

Priyanshu says if the auto driver uses his display board while returning to home after finishing his work, it may reduce chances of <g data-gr-id="45">dispute</g> with the passengers and the auto driver can return home peacefully. This has also been implemented and many <g data-gr-id="37">Delhites</g>, can now see auto drivers, gleefully displaying, ‘On <g data-gr-id="43">Duty’ ,</g> and ‘Off Duty’ boards on their autos. He recommends family health cards for auto drivers as most of them depend on government hospitals. Provisions for regular eye check  should be made mandatory for drivers, for their safety, as well as that of the passengers. Priyanshu has included the issue of affordable insurance policies along with other issues, as part of his survey. Priyanshu further says in his report that the autos can be an important tool for spreading awareness in the society about different government schemes. There can be a policy to integrate the autos as a part of marketing and advertisement to bring more income to auto drivers. 

Priyanshu submitted his findings to the Chief Minister of Delhi, who swung into action immediately to make life easier for auto drivers by bringing into effect, the display boards. 

Now Priyanshu is happy while travelling by auto as he finds a family member in each auto driver. “I am genuinely glad that this survey, which I have sent to the concerned authorities, will surely bring some respite to the auto drivers and will enable them to lead a life of dignity, more so, since they meet the need of hundreds of student commuters in Delhi,” says Priyanshu.