Rickshaw Pullers: Cultural Icon or Exploited Commodity?

Last December, West Bengal -- India's poorest and third-most populous state -- outlawed rickshaws on the basis that human-powered transport is, "A disgraceful practice that flourished when the British lorded over the people." Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, West Bengal's chief minister, may be right, but in outlawing the profession, the government put an estimated 6000 licensed pullers (and who knows how many unlicensed ones!) out of work. Interestingly, Bhattacharjee's government claims that cycle-rickshaws -- arguably more difficult to operate -- will still be allowed.

Although rickshaw pullers earn only about $2.25 a day, that's roughly double the income of the typical West Bengal citizen. Consequently, late last month, the Calcutta Hand Rickshaw Pullers Union (sorry, no website) asked Bhattacharjee to develop a retraining package. However, considering the minister is vigorously wooing the tech sector to Calcutta, it's hard to say whether he'll spend much time worrying about these cultural icons.

As an aside, be certain to check out Andy Carvin's short but stunning video of cycle-rickshaws. It's amazing how they can remain so sparkling despite all the mud.

[News via Mental Floss; photo courtesy Soumik]

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Asia, India