This is an auto.
There are many autos.
This is my auto.
Customization plays an important role in everything we can control, from our wardrobe to our homes to our vehicles. This is of particular significance to auto-rickshaw drivers as the auto is not only a means of transport, but a profession, a living. In a city crammed with the tripeds it is only natural that some would seek to stand out and establish an identity.
This usually comes in the form of posters, paintings and stickers, but if you are lucky you will catch the cool glow of faux-neon strips or maybe makeshift interior lighting. The modifications are not limited to visuals; many autos have custom-built and custom-installed audio systems that you feel more than hear. More interestingly, several autos have personalized horns, a few of which are more intimidating than an 18-wheeler in motion.
Despite the immense potential for identity in these vehicles, many drivers forgo aesthetic remodelling for advertisements. The reason is simple: money. Considering the wages of this job supplementary income is always welcome. This often gets in the way of what is undeniably, art, and a defining part of local culture.
I see this as a problem. I see a solution. I hereby propose F.A.R.T. (Fund for the Artistic Renovation of Transport). The interested may help build, paint, install and beautify the autorickshaws of Bangalore. The interested and incapable may donate money to projects they like or are inspired by. This could be an opportunity to uplift the social standing of auto drivers and change the face of a city in one long fell swoop.
- Biswajith Manimaran
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