When patriotism rides three wheels

On Jan 26 and Aug 15, 50 autorickshaw drivers ferry freedom fighters to Sabarmati Ashram for free and senior citizens at a discount

DILIP PATEL

Patriotism doesn’t always have to be songs blaring from roadside pandals, painting/pasting the tricolour on shop display windows or hoisting the national flag. Fifty Amdavadi autorickhaw wallahs have given it a new definition. On January 26, a group of 50 auto drivers, all members of the Ahmedabad Autorickshaw Drivers Association, ferried nearly 200 senior citizens and freedom fighters in autorickshaws to the Sabarmati Ashram at discounted fares or for free.
“Love for one’s country does not end at flag-hoisting. After a brainstorming session, it was decided to take the the elderly to Gandhi Ashram. Freedom fighters commute free while others get a flat 50 per cent discount on the fare,” said association president Imtiaz Landha. The ‘drive’ began on August 15, 2009.
“We had ferried 150 senior citizens, including two freedom fighters to the ashram that day,” he said.
Fifty-five-year-old Hamidaben living in this city for 35 years didn’t know how the ashram looked like. “On Tuesday, I got to see the famous ashram, thanks to the rickshaw wallah who ferried me on discounted fare and also was my guide there.”