March 22, 2009

Fuel conservation, Indian-style


I was driving by Inorbit mall the other day when I saw this very funny sight. What on earth are they up to? Did the guy in front run out of fuel and his friend was giving him a helping hand... er, foot?

Then I looked around and saw more autorickshaw guys driving like this. I think they're actually trying to save fuel. They didnt look in any particular hurry to reach anywhere, so one of them possibly switches off the engine and gets his friend to push him around ! I wonder whether they switch places after sometime.

Friendship really can take you places... sometimes with a kick in the rear!

19 comments:

  1. That is hilarious! How far will they get before the second driver's leg starts to hurt?

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  2. Aditi, hilarious is absolutely right! You drive up behind them thinking you can overtake, but no, they give you this very affronted look as if you're disturbing their very cosy twosome :D
    After sometime, I'm sure they'll switch places. Like, I pushed you, now you push me !

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  3. Yeah ... I always wondered how the guy who pushes... also keeps his auto straight on the road ... they never go wonky.;D
    And what happens if a woman like me drives past and gets cheap thrills in separating them ... does the guy get stranded on the road... does his buddy come back to fetch him... :) what if its a one way ...hee-hee-hee... now my imagination is working over time ... I think I'll look out for these chappies next time.It just gets more interesting doesn't it...

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  4. LOL! Rajee, now things are getting interesting! Can't you just picture the two of them getting together at journey's end and cursing women drivers?
    But if you do get naughty (purely in the name of research, of course!) and try out the Great Indian Auto trick, please post about it later ;D

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  5. I have seen this so often that it has become a normal, everyday sight! This is a very interesting blog, I will certainly visit regularly.

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  6. Hi Kamini! I'm intrigued, have you been seeing this in South India (I'm guessing from your blog )?
    I always knew they were adventurous but now it looks like the autorickshaw drivers of India are more fuel-efficient than I ever thought!

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  7. Sunita,
    I've seen a lot of this in Chennai. Also (not fuel-efficient, but certainly hair-raising to see) bicycles hanging on to buses and trucks, being propelled along for the ride of their lives!

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  8. Chennai ... that figures! I wonder whether this is an all-India autorickshaw drivers' stunt.
    I wonder whether the cyclists who have attached themselves to the bus know which route it is going to take. Imagine finding out too late that it is going in some other direction and not the one he wants.

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  9. sweet! Strong legs they must have!

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  10. A_M , imagine this could become the New Age workout. Forget bench press and squats, do the Rickshaw Push! :D

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  11. This is common every where. When they run out of fuel, they do this till they reach nearby petrol pump. But the trouble is, if that person who extends a helping foot, gets an itch in his leg, what will he do?

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  12. This possibly cant be true... So many comments to say its true!! Really!! I've seen cycles hanging on buses or trucks... but this pushing is the first!!

    Wonder how far the guys actually reach!!??

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  13. Oh, I thought there was much more to it than that! Something like a secret handshake or something :D
    Yeah, an itchy foot can really put a spanner in the works, can't it?

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  14. How enterprising of the auto drivers! This is how we are going to beat global warming!

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  15. Patricia, I assure you its true. And the first time I saw it I really blinked because I couldnt believe it. Then I laughed my guts out :D

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  16. Trust the rickshaw drivers to come up with something so innovative, huh, Aditi?
    And would you believe that some of them always sit angled sideways because they're so used to sharing that tiny front seat with extra passengers? Really! Cross my heart and my keyboard!

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  17. lol :)
    I love the little tid bits you have here, first the carrots and now autos running on human sweat :)

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  18. Thank you, Joannah. I'm so glad you liked my posts :)
    I hope I'll be seeing you here often.

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