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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A Qingqi Driver

In our city of lights (Karachi), a large number of Qingqi can be found on almost every street, running on a straight route usually. They charge you 10 rupees only on a single route. These three wheelers are not only providing an alternate to the passengers but also serve as a source of income for the people migrating to Karachi from various parts of the country. One can see them on every major bus stop where they are hawking the passengers to their destinations.

Last week I came across one such Qingqi, it was a usual ride from University Road to Jauhar Roundabout. I got the seat on the rear of the Qingqi in the beginning of the journey, but after passing the Kamran Chowrangi the Qingqiwala asked the passengers sitting at the back to move to the front of the Qingqi. The reason of this movement was obtaining some ladies passengers from another Qingqi which were settled at the rear side and I moved to the front with other male passengers. When I sat behind the driver on the seat, I saw two handicap walking sticks under the seat. To my surprise the driver was limbless on his right. The paddle break of the Qingqi was modified by a welder such that the break had been converted into hand operated break with a bent iron rod coming up to the height of handle of the bike. The driver was handling it smartly and the passengers were joining and leaving the Qingqi as normal, without even knowing that their driver was a handicap with one leg only. This courageous man gave me a silent message of struggle and motivation that one can live his life without cursing the fate or blaming others. What fate had done with that person he was happy with it without complaining anybody.

I guess it would have been very easy for him to join the community of beggars and the society would have accepted it with a look of sympathy but he on contrary to that became a useful component of the society willingly, without losing his self respect.

Alhamdolillah, we can stand on our feet but we have a number of complains about the society and the system. We shall be thankful to Allah for our health and uncountable blessings as for Him it is possible to take away anything from us in no time.