On the morning of October 1st 2009, I got down from the MMTS local train at Hyderabad as usual. As usual, I took a few deep breaths, steeled my nerves and proceeded to hire an auto to take me to my college. Today, the stars were kind to me. The pan-chewing auto wallah in the start of the line of autos started the nerve-wrangling bid with his quote of Rs.40 (for a distance of less than 1 km, I must point out.) I grimaced and moved down the line.
He was the third in line and at first glance looked no different from the run-of-the-mill auto wallah you meet everyday.
“You have to show me where it is,” the young man said when I told him I wanted to go to Stanley Engineering college on Chapel road. I said that I would, but how much would he charge? “Anything that you give. You said it is close by only, right?”
I was a battle hardened veteran when it comes to bargaining with autos drivers and said, “I have heard this one before. Dont kick up a battle once we reach there. Tell me now what the fare is.” He said, “Sir, my meter is not working. You can give me whatever you want. I can even take you there for free.”
Something in the way he said this made me ask him why he made that offer. “You see, I already have a job. Am a driver with Tata Indicom surveyor team. Just shifted from Nizamabad to Hyderabad and was told to pick up the routes as fast as I could. I thought the best way to do that is to drive an auto – I can earn while I learn!”
Over the years, I have come across some innovative practices when it comes to learning on the job. Perhaps this one is one of the more memorable ones.
Ahmad (that was the name of the young man) stayed true to his word. He did not take money from me, but pestered me with a number of questions about the road, the colleges, and landmarks on the road. I still gave the usual amount I give for the auto ride everyday from the station to the college. Ahmad made quite an impression on me!
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