As I wake up before dawn, I know
that another day of hard work awaits me. I am a rickshaw puller in Kolkata, and
my life revolves around the roads of this bustling city. But today, like every
day, I feel a sense of uncertainty and anxiety as I start my journey.
At the age of 60, I am not as strong as I used to be. My muscles ache, and my back hurts, but I know that I have no other choice. I have no other skills or education to fall back on. This is my only means of livelihood, and I have to work hard to make ends meet.
I start my day by cleaning and oiling my rickshaw. It is an old and worn-out vehicle, but it is my only asset, and I have to take good care of it. As I get ready, I think about the challenges that lie ahead. The traffic in Kolkata is chaotic, and the roads are crowded. It is a constant battle to navigate through the crowds and reach my destination on time.
I start my journey by going to the busy market area. It is where I get most of my customers. But today, luck doesn't seem to be on my side. People are not hiring me. Maybe it is because of my age, or maybe it is because there are too many rickshaw pullers competing for work.
As the day wears on, I become more and more worried. I have a family to feed, and I need to earn enough money to pay for our basic needs. But today, the streets are quiet, and the customers are scarce.
Just when I am about to give up hope, I get a customer. A lady who needs to go to the hospital urgently. She is in a hurry, and I know that I have to get her there quickly. I pedal as hard as I can, ignoring the pain in my muscles and the sweat pouring down my face.
As I drop her off, I feel a sense of relief and satisfaction. I know that I have helped someone in need, and that makes my day a little brighter. But I also know that I need more customers to make enough money to survive.
As the day turns into night, I keep pedaling, hoping to get more customers. But my hopes are dashed as I get no more customers. As I return home, I feel a sense of sadness and defeat. I have worked hard all day, but I have very little to show for it.
As I lie down on my mat, I think about my life and the struggles that I face every day. But I also think about the pride that I feel in being a rickshaw puller. It is not an easy job, but it is an honest one. I may be old, but I am still a hard worker, and I know that I have to keep going to provide for my family.
As I close my eyes, I know that tomorrow will be another day of hard work, uncertainty, and challenges. But I am ready to face them, knowing that I have no other choice but to keep pulling my rickshaw and hoping for a better tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment