Auto drivers make peace with riders, win awards

BANGALORE: Anil Kumar, 22, an autorickshaw driver, was thrilled to receive an award on Sunday. He has been driving since two years and never said 'no' to passengers. Whatever the destination, he drove them with a smile on his face. Twenty auto drivers like Anil were felicitated by Peace Auto (PA), an initiative by the World Peacekeepers Movement, to make peace between drivers and passengers.
Anil said such recognition will go a long way in encouraging auto drivers to do more good work. Raghu N, who received an award for honesty, said about 15 days ago, a passenger left an iPhone in his auto near Central Silk Board junction. "I called some numbers on the phone's contacts' list and managed to track the passenger down," he said.
"I was very happy when the passenger appreciated my honesty." It feels good when an auto driver gets an award, said drivers Palakshappa SA and Dinesh K, who returned cellphones and purses left in their autos by passengers. "Many people don't respect or treat us properly. But this is a proud moment for us," they pointed out.
Anil Shetty, CEO of World Peacekeepers Movement, said the initiative started in October 2013 to encourage auto drivers to shed their negative image. The PA has 75 members. Their %vehicles, known as Peace Autos, %provide newspapers and magazines to passengers.