Buddha grants `freedom` to rickshaw-pullers

  • 15/12/2004

  • Pioneer (New Delhi)

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya held out a special Independence Day pledge for Kolkata's toiling rickshaw-wallahs. They will not have to hand-pull their riders if the latest Government decision - to phase these "giant wheels of colonial era" out by the end of this year - is taken more seriously that other pledges. The much talked-about 'heritage cart', which many Bengali Babus call Kolkatar Garbo (pride of Kolkata) and seek proudly to place next to the tortoise-paced tram car that several writers fondly dub the "prehistoric reptile", is all set to be liberated three to four months from now, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said.