Rickshaw, the traditional eco-friendly, non-motorized vehicle in Bangladesh. Japanese word rickshaw refers to Jin-rickshaw. It is a popular transportation in West Bengal and around Bangladesh since 1938. The first time it was a vehicle of the high society but now has become common transportation of middle class.

Bangladeshi rickshaw is artistically decorated with plastic flowers, ornaments and rickshaw art. These arts are done by enamel colours, usually bold and vivid. At the back of a rickshaw, there are beautiful paintings of Grameen scenarios and Bangladeshi movie stars. After independence, we witnessed the paintings portraying the Liberation War. The forms of art change with time. By emerging of digital technology, rickshaw art now facing the struggle of existence The rickshaw artists are illiterate and have no formal art education. However, this high motif art is not well recognized by the schools of art.

EARNINGS:

By doing a whole day of hard work a rickshaw puller still can not earn proper money for quality existence. The average income for a rickshaw puller is 200 taka but it is higher than the garments. But rickshaw pullers can not lead a good life due to illiteracy and superstitions. They generally take unhygienic food in roadside restaurants. However, the rickshaw pullers are not socially well recognized. They live in slums, generally don't have family planning and can not send children to school, thus thing them into street children. Bachelor rickshaw pullers live like homeless people whereas they are actually NOT homeless.

Rickshaw pullers come from the villages, mostly are economically marginalized but a huge chunk of the money is being redistributed back to the villages.

PROBLEMS AND SETBACKS:

The crude reality, Bangladesh government is now evicting the rickshaw from Dhaka with the help of the World Bank. Already the rickshaw has been banned in the major roads to reduce traffic congestion. This policy is hampering the income of the rickshaw pullers without ensuring alternative jobs. If complete eviction takes place, not only we will lose a heritage, but it will increase the crime by the marginalized communities as they will lose their income. Furthermore, the rickshaw pullers live at a high risk of HIV/AIDS as they live far away from their families and sometimes get involved with unprotected prostitution.

Riding on the rickshaw is not mere commuting for the Bangladeshis, but is also a pleasure ride for the foreigners. As there are a lot of commotions about pollution worldwide, so this eco-friendly vehicle is certainly a sustainable mode of transportation.

Direction: Prof. Brian Shoesmith, Coordination: Shahjahan Siraj
Voiceover: G.S.Don; Script: Md. Nabil
Photography: Asafudollah Raju, Faiz-un-Nessa, Sharmin Aktar, Ahamed Rakib, Sjovon

A production of MSJ students in ULAB

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#rickshaw #documentary #rickshawpuller Riding on a rickshaw, Dhaka, Bangladesh Rickshaw City - Documentary Short

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