JENIFER FERNANDES
joseph@herald-goa.com
ALDONA: Vasudev Vishnu Naik, now 70, has spent a lifetime navigating hardships, determined to provide for his family through sheer perseverance. From working as a motorcycle taxi pilot to becoming an auto-rickshaw driver, his journey reflects the struggles of the working class, the changing times, and the diminishing viability of traditional occupations.
Looking back on his life, Naik recalls growing up in Aldona, where he spent his childhood and school years. He studied up to the 10th standard, which, at the time, was considered a good qualification for employment. “In those days, even with a 10th standard education, government clerks and officers would come offering jobs,” he said. “Now, even well-qualified youth struggle to find work without influence or pressure.”
Naik’s working life began as a motorcycle taxi driver at the Aldona bus stand. Over time, he took up different roles—first asa bus conductor and later as a ticket master on private buses operating between Aldona and Mapusa. He even worked on long-distance routes between Goa and Bombay. However, despite years of effort, he found himself questioning his future. “I kept asking myself—where is this all going? What am I truly achieving?” he said.
Realising the need for stability, Naik decided to take control of his earnings and started driving an auto-rickshaw. For over 30 years, he has been a familiar presence at the Aldona stand. But the job, once a reliable means of livelihood, has become increasingly challenging due to rising costs and changing transport trends. “I remember when petrol cost just Rs 5. Then it rose to Rs 10, then Rs 15, and now it’s Rs 97. Survival gets harder with each passing year,” he remarked.
Despite financial hardships, Naik prioritised his family’s well-being. He worked tirelessly, through heat and rain, to ensure his children received an education. “With pride—and tears in my eyes—I can say that through this job, I managed to educate both my children,” he said. However, even with degrees in hand, they struggled to find the jobs they aspired to. “It pains me, but I never stopped trying, even seeking other jobs just for their sake.”
Naik believes that auto-rickshaw driving has lost its relevance in today’s world, with most people owning their own bikes and cars. “This job is no longer fashionable, but I carry on for as long as I can, because that’s what I know,” he stated.
However, life today is drastically different from what it used to be. The cost of living has skyrocketed, making it difficult for people like Naik to survive. “In the past, even 2 paise felt like wealth—we could buy all the basic needs with it. Today, even Rs 500 won’t get you half of what’s required,” he lamented. “Rs 100 and Rs 200 notes have lost their value; one needs at least Rs 1000 just to live decently.”
Maintenance costs for vehicles have also increased. “Back then, earning Rs 50 meant spending Rs 20 on maintenance, but now, keeping a bike running is exhausting,” he said. He believes that people like him have little control over these changes. “We cannot change God’s plan—what He wills, shall be.”
“I have lived a hard life, full of struggle, but I have overcome every obstacle, and I am still here today, standing strong,” he said. His only wish is for the younger generation to have a better future, though he fears that their struggles may be even greater. “These young children will face tougher times, especially those from below middle-class families.”
Despite the difficulties, Naik continues to work with dignity, finding small moments of joy in his daily routine. “What little happiness we find is when we drop a customer safely home and earn our fare,” he said. Until his body allows, he is determined to keep going, with faith in God’s blessings and the satisfaction of having done his best for his family.