Thursday, 30 August 2012

Conversation with taxi drivers in Germany and India.

Its 5.20 am in the morning and were  all packed up to return to India from Germany.We had asked taxi driver to come at 5.30 am for a drop to Stuttgart airport, but the taxi was there by 5.20 am.In Germany trains,buses and taxi's come before time but never late.Successful people always value time I guess its applicable even for a country as whole.As we entered into the taxi I could hear chants from the holyQuran being played on the car audio.The taxi driver was a Pakistani.Good to start the day with rememberance of God.When ever an Indian and Pakistani meet abroad there is always warmth and no enemity between people.Most taxi's in Germany are Mercedes Benz this one was no different.


We started conversation and taxi driver told us he owned the taxi and has been driving for last 5-6 years.He said he earns more than 6000 € (4.2 lakh Rs) per month.Then he explained why Germany is such a good country to live in.He said he owns a Mercedes Benz which he could not even have dreamt off back home in Pakistan.As per him even tough he pays high tax (almost 50%) on his income he was happy with the govt.In Germany govt gives pocket money of 220 € per month to all children upto age of 18. Paying 250€ per month ensure full medical expense coverage for his whole family of 6.As per him even though taxation was higher govt provides citizens with excellent roads,healthcare ,education,safety,security and equal opportunity for every one to grow in life.Even people who are unemployed and retired get paid monthly pension under social security scheme.Then he said his wish was  same things happen back in India and Pakistan.But the corrupt politicans wont make it happen.But he ended with optimism that in coming 100 years we will have same conditions in India and Pakistan as one prevaling in Germany today.


After a long flight we arrived at Bangalore airport at 12.30 am.We took a taxi Toyota innova and I initated a conversation with the driver.Taxi driver told me he had to work 12 hours daily for a monthly income of Rs 9000.He has been driving for 15 years but still couldnt buy his own car.The labour is back breaking and even tears have dried up in his eyes.He and his family could barely survive and it was difficult for him to provide his family with good health care and education.Some days he could make addition 400 Rs if the passengers were generous with their tips.But overall he cursed the politicians,road conditions and the difficult work conditions.He couldnt see a better future for him and his family in India.I wondered how luckly I have been if I compare to other fellow citizens in my country.But challenge in India for all of us is to elevate our country men from poverty and provide quality education,health care and equal opportunity for all to prosper in life.

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