Pullers caught in a vicious cycle

NAGPUR: Even though cycle rickshaws are a major mode of transportation, rickshaw-pullers say they are perpetually struggling. "There are many options at a common man's disposal, but we still provide the cheapest mode of transportation," pullers claimed while speaking to TOI.
"Like autorickshaw stands, we too have been demanding stands since many years.But authorities have not heeded our demand," they rued.
Rickshaw-pulling is hard work and health hazard is a constant shadow. However, rickshaw-pullers can't always afford to take even a couple of days off, because of their responsibility towards family. Explains Vinod Parate, a rickshaw puller: "Our family comes first. We have to pull the rickshaw because we do not want our present to be our children's future."
It is hard to maintain a large family by the earnings collected through rickshaw-pulling. Though most of the rickshaw-pullers have the desire to educate their children, economic condition and social status become obstacles for education. It is pathetic that most rickshaw-pullers have to depend on their children at the old age since they don't have any savings, says Rohit Devangan, another rickshaw puller. He said, "We have to suffer a lot. After a whole day of work, what we have in our hands is just a nominal amount. We struggle to fulfil our family's needs, let alone any kind of luxuries."
The social stigma regarding rickshaw-pulling makes their lives miserable. From whatever little they earn, the policemen demand a share. If any rickshaw-puller refuses, he often faces harassment and even violence.
Rickshaw-pullers say there are times when they are even abused by passengers. Gauri Shankar, another rickshaw-puller, said, "They keep on bargaining. Somebody should tell them we are asking for fare, not holding some kind of discount sale."