World | India
Frenchman's reality check on rickshaws
A Frenchman is pedalling a rickshaw in Bihar these days to understand the real problems of rickshaw-pullers in India.
- IANS
- Published: 23:41 January 11, 2009
Patna: A Frenchman is pedalling a rickshaw in Bihar these days to understand the real problems of rickshaw-pullers in India.
John Lui, in his early 40s, said: "I am trying to discover the real life of a rickshaw-puller."
Wearing a colourful dress, Lui, a technical designer, pedalled a newly decorated cycle rickshaw for over three hours in Sasaram town of western Bihar, 148km from the state capital Patna.
Lui told IANS by phone: "I have been gathering my experience as rickshaw-puller to strengthen research on their lives.
"I have mixed with many of them, spent hours among them and shared their pain and exploitation. It is a unique learning experience so far on polluted dusty roads."
After completing his research, Lui plans to help rickshaw-pullers by raising funds to launch an innovative scheme that will hopefully make life easier for them.
"I have experienced that a rickshaw-puller's life is tough, without social and emotional security. I will do something for them," he said.
He said that he started pedalling rickshaws in Bangladesh last year to gather experience as a rickshaw-puller.
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