ABSTRACT
‘Did you ask how many years I have been pulling rickshaw? Twelve years! I was only thirteen then … when village money lender took away my father’s little land. How could I buy this rickshaw? It costs 1500 rupees. I earn only seven or eight rupees daily, after 14 hours of sweating. But its owner takes away four rupees. I don’t mind this terrible heat… if only I could feed my parents and my wife in village … last time I saw her was three months back when I went to the village … soon rainy season will come … the time for union … she weeps all through the rain, alone, separated, agonized and humiliated.… ’
