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Everything you need, in the Mumbai’s coolest 3-wheeler

Anshu Kulkarni, consultant psychiatrist, Fortis Raheja Hospital, tells you how to deal with your child’s wayward behaviour.

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With the auto rickshaw and taxi drivers giving Mumbai a harrowing time over the past two days, one would understand if Mumbaikars are not favourably inclined towards  these drivers. However, even the angriest of them would have to smile on seeing this autorick shaw.

Sandeep Bachche’s three-wheeler is unlike anything you may have seen before. It is stocked with almost every convenience you can imagine.

Fancy a newspaper while holding on for dear life? The rickshaw has a magazine stand with the daily newspaper and a film magazine. You and your girlfriend want to suddenly catch a film but don't know where to go? Then behind Bachche's seat is a piece of paper glued on that has all the numbers of theatres as well as emergency numbers neatly written out and highlighted.

Oh, and if you're feeling magnanimous, just turn around in your seat where perched on the back rest is a red donation box.

But, two of the auto rickshaw’s most striking features are a small television set and a black landline phone. “I get Doordarshan and if somebody asks, I switch on the TV for a while but switch it off later as it distracts me while driving,” Bachche admits. His telephone calling rates are also quite reasonable with both local and STD being Re1. Apart from a telephone facility, he also provides a mobile charger and a pre-paid recharge card.

Bachche, aka Munnabhai SSC, another popular name given to him by friends, started driving his three-wheeler in 2000, but changed the interiors two years ago. “I used to work as a peon in a travel agency. So, during night duties, I used to end up sleeping inside a tourist bus. That’s when I thought that whenever I got my own vehicle, I would do up the interiors and make it commuter friendly,” Munnabhai SSC said.

Bachche is equipped for emergencies, too, with a fire extinguisher and a first aid box to boot.

Another interesting feature is the old 10 paise coins taped to the side of his meter. The reason, he says, is, “When an old couple sits in my rickshaw and sees this, they smile as it reminds them of days gone by. And, to see them smile is priceless,” Bachche said.  

Interestingly, Bachche’s flashy vehicle belies his philanthropic side. This amiable driver is known to distribute biscuits to old age homes and, if he earns more than average on a particular day, he donates it to the cancer patients aid organisation. The first and the last fare of the day also goes to charity.

He even offers interesting discounts. For newlyweds there is a 10% discount, a 25% discount for the handicapped and for the blind the ride is free up to Rs50.

Bachche lives with his family in a 70 square feet rented room on Khar-Danda Road. “My dream is to have my own flat here,” Bachche said.

But right now, his big wish is to participate in the game show, dus-ka-dum and share the stage with his idol Salman Khan.

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