Meet ‘Auto Raja,’ who seeks more smiles and happiness than extra fare. He ensures that all his passengers leave as friends and without a chip on their shoulders. And he does all that in a ‘true Kannadiga shaili’, and hence he is popularly known among his friends as Kannadiga Auto Raja.His auto speaks KannadaThanks to his obsession with Kannada language and its culture, his decked and ‘stuffed’ auto also speaks a thousand Kannada words. As many as 4,276 letters are inscribed on his autorickshaw, which appears no less than a moving hoarding to promote Kannada and its culture.‘Laugh and make others laugh. But don’t laugh at other’s pain,’ ‘Get into the chariot in the city of Kempe Gowda with courtesy,’ ‘Come as a stranger but go as a friend,’ ‘For Kannada, I can give my life but ask for Cauvery water and I will drive you out,’ ‘Learn Kannada before you intake South Indian meals.’ These are only a few of the many quotes painted on his auto, which has hardly any space left now.A number of garlands decorate the front of his auto while an artificial bird chirps inside. He also burns incense sticks throughout the day to ensure a ride filled with ‘serenity.’‘India my village, Karnataka my home’“I earn my bread and butter from the auto and the passengers. So I keep it clean and decorated like a home. I consider all the passengers as guests and it is the moral duty of every Kannadiga to treat guests as God. I feel sorry when people, especially non-Kannadigas talk bad about the auto-drivers,” says Raja, adding he considers India his village and Karnataka his home. Three rings with saffron, white and green gems in his middle finger and two rings on his index finger with yellow and red coloured gems prove his statement as well as sentiment. Every year, on Kannada Rajyotsava Day, he does not charge the minimum fare, and distributes sweets and chocolates to his passengers. While on Independence Day, he ferries school children for free. In case all these acts of the good Samaritan appear ostentatious and a gimmick, kindly continue reading the next few sentences before some general perception creeps into your mind.A good samaritanThe 44-year old driver has never said no to anyone during his 20 years of ‘service’. He is always ready to take you to any destination and at any hour of the day. He doesn’t charge even a single rupee from patients and pregnant ladies who are on their way to hospitals. And for the handicapped, his meter reads at only half of its normal speed. Also his auto provides no less important service than 108 ambulances as one can dial him anytime for service in case of emergency situations.He never participates in any strike, and ferries the patients, handicapped and pregnant women to their destinations free of cost on those particular days. “What will happen to a pregnant lady or a seriously injured person if they are not taken to hospitals on time during strikes,” he questions, adding that auto-drivers should not only hanker behind money but also help people on humanitarian grounds. “Goodness promotes goodness. If you do good to people, it will inspire them to do good to others,” he adds.Forty-two trophies and awards kept in the rear of his auto stand a testimony to his special services, recognised by the state government and Kannada organisations.“Late actor Vishnuvardhan himself had invited me for a meeting. But before I could meet my idol, he unfortunately passed away. Many politicians and filmmakers have offered me help but I try to maintain a distance,” he recalls. “I do everything for satisfaction, and not for money or publicity,” he adds.‘Cops’ favourite’Otherwise a strict traffic rule-follower, he recalls a few incidents where he was compelled to break rules to help the patients. “However, the traffic policemen now recognise me by my vehicle. They know that I won’t flout the rule unless it is an emergency situation. Many policemen have travelled in my vehicle by paying me proper fare,” he chuckles.
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