One of its league is on its way to Holland thanks to the fascination of two Dutch University students who were so much impressed by the ‘‘unique three-wheeler’’ that they bought one from Pahargunj on Tuesday and got it shipped to their homeland.
Michael Dordrecht (18) Peter-Paul Vossepoea (20) have just finished school and are on a tour of India. The duo is ecstatic about their new buy and can’t wait to wheel it to the university when they join it on returning home. But they are aware that their unusual vehicle — that cost them a measly Rs 8,000, adding to its many attractions — may suffer from a scarcity of spares back home, so they have also bought eight tyres, a couple of tubes and some nuts and bolts for their new acquisition.
Said Peter: ‘‘There is a preoccupation with eco-friendly transport in Dutch campuses. So, we have to cycle a lot but that is not always comfortable because of the sun. This is a unique mode of transport because you can take passengers, it has a hood and is perfectly eco-friendly.’’
But their transport needed some modifications for its Dutch sojourn. The hood had to be readjusted to suit the Dutch height. ‘‘On an average, we are six feet so this was a little small. We have taken care of that too. Getting a permit will not be an issue,’’ said Michael, adding that the rickshaw will make for a comfortable ride from their home in Rioustraat to the university. The rickshaw has been
done up too — on either side of it are the names of its two owners Michael and Peter, written in Hindi. At the centre is the registration number of the rickshaw DL-0909.
The sight of two ‘‘firangs’’ on a rickshaw — one as passenger and the other as the rickshaw-puller — caused much mirth in the crowded lanes of Pahargunj. Peter also obliged some of his amused onlookers by giving three passengers free rides.
Proud of how they are transporting the ‘‘great Indian culture’’ to Holland, Michael said: ‘‘If some day rickshaws are abolished in India, there will always be a small city in Holland which will have one.
source: Times of India
