Calcutta is the last home of the human rickshaw. A rickshaw pulled by the labor of a man's body alone. I hear tell that you can take tourist pictures with non-operational ones in Hong Kong, but that's the limit of the rickshaw runner's influence in the modern world of transportation. This of course does not include the popular bicycle rickshaw nor the automotive rickshaw still popular throughout Asia.
Of course, historically, they were all over the place. Rich people always seemed to find it convenient to be borne aloft upon the shoulders of the economically disadvantaged - in whatever carriage, litter form available.
I always thought palanquins would be kind of romantic. ...but the jostling must have been fierce.
Today the debate rages (although I guess only locally?) - is the rickshaw a human rights violation and a municipal embarrassment? Or is it honest, sustainable labor?
It's certainly a preferred option for old ladies and mothers with small children. And considering how people drive around here (the bus I was on today narrowly missed killing someone, although the motorbike was not so fortunate, being crunched under us like so much tin foil) I can certainly appreciate how one would value transportation options.
1 comment:
You know, funny thing is there are rickshaws near Times Square in NYC... Of course, they don't give the yellow cabs a run for their money, literally or otherwise, but its an interesting sight.
Do Calcutta rickshaws have artwork on them? Its a major artistic outlet here :)
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=rickshaw%20art&sa=N&tab=wi
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