मैं रिक्शा चलाता हूँ ।

In this chapter, students of Hindi will acquire the vocabulary, cultural knowledge, and reading skills necessary to understand and discuss the life of a rickshaw-driver who moves to a big city to help pay for his sister’s wedding. In India, major cities have several options for transportation. Pedal-powered cycle-rickshaws are convenient for covering short distances. Slightly cheaper options are gas-powered “tempos” or “vikrams,” which seat six passengers and follow fixed routes along major roads. For longer distances, buses are popular, as are the metro and local trains available in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. For door-to-door service, auto-rickshaws and taxis are convenient but relatively expensive. The chapter includes pre-reading questions about moving for work and taxi-drivers, a glossary of relevant vocabulary, and a story in which a rickshaw-driver describes his daily routine. He talks about the types of passengers he meets during the day and their interactions. The notes on culture elucidate issues related to transportation in India, and the activities guide students in their comprehension of the story and in applying this knowledge to discuss their own daily routines.