A rickshaw puller is a useful member of the society and yet we look down upon him. He is one who pulls a rickshaw. His is a tough job and only acute poverty compels a person to be rickshaw puller. When a person does not get employment this rickshaw pulling comes handy to him. In almost all cities and towns we can see rickshaw pullers.
From his appearance a rickshaw puller looks shabby. Poverty is writ large on his face. In hot season he goes about half naked seldom he wears shoes and clothes on the upper part of his body. His physical labour does not allow to be a plump. He remains thin and lean. Sweat is his, close fond and this leaves a peculiar smell on his body. In reality this is the smell of hard work. He truly earns his living by the sweat of his brow. In rainy season he remains let to the skin while the passengers remain under a small canopy.
A rickshaw puller is generally illiterate and is seldom refined. He is in the habit of using fair-language and he is ready to quarrel over trifles. He falls an easy prey to many evils. He drinks, takes drugs, frequents cinema, gambles, etc. because he cannot think of any other recreation. If he is married, his wife has to live in wants as he wastes his earnings on evil things. To forget his body ache he drinks and takes drugs.
A rickshaw puller is not a beggar but we must do something to improve his lot. He seldom owns the rickshaw he pulls. He has to give a considerable part of his earnings to the owner of the rickshaw. So, the authorities should give him soft loan to buy his own rickshaw. He must be given a fair deal. Not more than two persons should sit at one time in his rickshaw. He should be given a fair fare for his services as a connector. For a nominal premium his life should be insured. He should be protected from the wrath of the police. The Municipal authorities must issue him a proper licence to carry on his job. Schemes should be framed to wean him away from this profession. Above all, the design of the rickshaw should be improved so that he is required to use minimum of his physical strength to pull the rickshaw. We must treat him as a useful member of the society.