Auto driver uses money saved for wedding to feed migrants

In a novel gesture, a 30-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, who saved ₹2 lakh for his marriage but postponed the ceremony due to the lockdown, is now using the money to feed migrant labourers and those in distress on Pune streets.

Akshay Kothawale is not just stopping at that, but also helping senior citizens and pregnant women by offering them free rides to clinics in his vehicle, and also going around the city creating awareness on how to stay protected against the coronavirus.

With the help of his friends, Kothawale is using the money he saved for his wedding to prepare food for nearly 400 people every day. They then go around the city streets and distribute the food among migrant labourers and poor people.

Kothawale, who comes from a humble background, said he feels happy to be able to help others in this time of crisis.

"While working as an auto-rickshaw driver, I could save around Rs 2 lakh for my marriage, which was scheduled on May 25. But, due to the lockdown extension, we thought it would not be appropriate to have the ceremony now, so my fiancee and I decided to postpone the marriage," he said.

During the lockdown, Kothawale was pained to see several poor people, specially migrant labourers, facing hardships due to no work and no income.

"I saw several people on roads who could not even afford to have one meal and were struggling to survive. I and some of my friends then thought of doing something to help the daily wagers and needy people," he said.

"I decided to use my savings for the cause and some of my friends also chipped in," said Kothawale, who is a resident of Timber market area in the Maharashtra city.

They then set up a kitchen and started preparing 'chapatis and sabji' (flat bread and vegetables), which they have been distributing at places where migrant labourers and needy people gather.

"Using my auto-rickshaw, we distribute one-time meal among people at Maldhakka Chowk near the railway station, Sangamwadi and Yerawada areas," he said.

Since his cash flow is also drying up fast, Kothawale and his friends have now decided to replace 'chapati-sabji' with 'pulao', masala rice or sambhar rice, he said.

"But, we are continuing distribution of food among the migrant labourers and those in need," he said.

The group intends to continue providing food to people at least till May 31 with the help of the funds they have.

Kothwala has also put up a loudspeaker on his auto- rickshaw through which he and his friends have been creating awareness among people about the coronavirus and how to stay protected against it.

The group has also distributed masks and sanitisers to roadside dwellers.

"Amid the lockdown, I am also offering free rides in the auto-rickshaw to senior citizens and pregnant women who need to visit a doctor," Kothawale said.

During the Sangli-Kolhapur deluge last year, he and his associates had sent food and other relief material for the flood-affected people, he added.