(Received in WhatsApp. Author unknown. If you are the author, please get in touch)
ANYONE CAN TEACH US SOMETHING NEW!
Why the name AUTO for the most popular vehicle in Chennai?
(For the uninitiated, AUTO, in Indian cities refers to mechanically operated rickshaws, otherwise known as auto-rickshaw)
One early morning some time in 2016, on reaching Central Station from Coimbatore, I engaged an Auto to go home.
The Auto driver appeared to be a well informed person. I struck up a conversation with him enquiring about competition that he faced from call taxis. He admitted that it was tough but was confident that autos would survive. While he pointed out the short life of call taxi companies like Bharathi, NTL, Friends etc. he was confident that Autos would survive.
Suddenly he asked me whether I knew the meaning of "Auto".
I said "No".
He surprised me with his explanation.
"During the British Rule, medicines were transported to hospitals from the Central medical Depots initially by hand pulled rickshaws, then by pedalled tricycle rickshaws.
At that time an enterprising Sardar from Jallandar fixed a motor to the cycle rickshaw which was used to draw water. After making innovative alterations to the vehicle, it was faster & could carry heavier loads.
So, the British Government Invested in more such motorised vehicles to transport urgent life saving medicines to hospitals.
These were called "An Urgent Transport Option".
The AUTO became very popular and slowly they were used for various other purposes including transporting passengers.
Over the period, this was modified technically and in appearance."
I realized that to gain knowledge, one has to keep one's Eyes and Ears open always because we never know from where it comes to us!
(For the uninitiated, AUTO, in Indian cities refers to mechanically operated rickshaws, otherwise known as auto-rickshaw)
One early morning some time in 2016, on reaching Central Station from Coimbatore, I engaged an Auto to go home.
The Auto driver appeared to be a well informed person. I struck up a conversation with him enquiring about competition that he faced from call taxis. He admitted that it was tough but was confident that autos would survive. While he pointed out the short life of call taxi companies like Bharathi, NTL, Friends etc. he was confident that Autos would survive.
Suddenly he asked me whether I knew the meaning of "Auto".
I said "No".
He surprised me with his explanation.
"During the British Rule, medicines were transported to hospitals from the Central medical Depots initially by hand pulled rickshaws, then by pedalled tricycle rickshaws.
At that time an enterprising Sardar from Jallandar fixed a motor to the cycle rickshaw which was used to draw water. After making innovative alterations to the vehicle, it was faster & could carry heavier loads.
So, the British Government Invested in more such motorised vehicles to transport urgent life saving medicines to hospitals.
These were called "An Urgent Transport Option".
The AUTO became very popular and slowly they were used for various other purposes including transporting passengers.
Over the period, this was modified technically and in appearance."
I realized that to gain knowledge, one has to keep one's Eyes and Ears open always because we never know from where it comes to us!
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