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Making way for peace

first anniversary
Last Updated 08 October 2014, 15:30 IST

Most people dread the Bangalore roads for two things — the never-ending traffic and the quarrel­some auto drivers.

Entrepreneur Anil Shetty, however, decided to show the City that even the auto drivers have a positive side to them when he started the noble venture ‘Peace Auto’ on October 2 last year. 

It has been a year now and Peace Autos have been lauded by the people in the City. The first-year anniversary celebration was attended by around 200 auto drivers and their families along with the founders. 

The team now plans to have more Peace Autos on the road apart from holding a number of other initiatives both for the society as well as the auto community. 

The sweet tempered Peace Auto drivers are rejoicing at the feat! Says Murugesh, who has been driving an auto for the last 25 years, “I joined the initiative a month after it was launched. Despite driving an auto for so many years, I was never a part of any union. But this concept attracted me as I believe in giving quality service to my customers. My only aim is to make my customers happy. It also talks about discipline.” 

Alok Singh, a third-year  student of RV College of Engineering, has been working part-time with Peace Auto right from its inception. “Earlier, auto drivers would harass people from other states and charge a lot too. But thanks to Peace Auto, there has been a drastic change in the attitude of the auto drivers. The initiative is helping them conduct themselves with dignity,” he says. This has given him immense personal satisfaction too.“I’m very happy to have been a part of a concept like this right from start and bring about a change in society.”  

Raghu, an auto driver who plies near Koramangala, was the first auto driver to be part of Peace Auto and is ecstatic as he says, “From 7, we have grown to 250 autos. I was extremely happy to see everyone at the function. We have become one big family now.” Though these autos were mainly seen in Koramangala in the beginning, Raghu says that they ply in most areas of the City now like Rajajinagar, Malleswaram and Indiranagar. 

He is looking forward to adding more drivers to the community. “The aim this year is to have 1000 autos in the ‘Peace Auto’ mission. We also want to collect funds for the families of auto drivers.

 At the celebrations, each auto driver contributed a particular amount and we raised a sizeable sum and donated it to the family of the late Peace Auto driver Murthy. It would be good if the authorities could help us with funds too in a fast manner,” he adds.  

The initiative has received more than 5000 responses informs Anil Shetty, the founder.

 “There are several interesting stories to tell. For instance, one auto driver thanked me for helping him quit drinking as he felt being a part of ‘Peace Auto’, he shouldn’t drink. Another one told me that he would become violent whenever he was in a bad mood. But now, both their lives have changed,” informs Anil.

 Now, he plans to start a scholarship scheme from the children of the auto drivers and have 1000 Peace Autos on the road.

 “People have also been telling me to introduce a mobile app. But I would rather focus on giving the 1000 best auto drivers to the City and improving their lives,” he sums up.

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(Published 08 October 2014, 15:30 IST)

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