Leisure Activities of Hand Rickshaw Pullers:

Transcription

1 Chapter: XI Leisure Activities of Hand Rickshaw Pullers: The literal meaning of Leisure is free time within daily routine works. This free time excludes taking food, sleeping or other essential biological works. Leisure or recreational activities are very important for overall growth and happiness of a person. This activity helps to reduce work stress and rejuvenates the mind for routine works. If regular work is maintained strictly without interval, it becomes boring and any person can lose his or her interests. Leisure activities diversify daily routine and improve our concentration on work. As the daily routine of a person is different from another, similarly leisure activities can also be different. Leisure activity of a person is very much related to his or her work duration, sexuality, level of education, religion, culture and personal choice. However, it is observed that the economic status of an individual person is the most influential factor. Better economic condition provides more recreational choices and can increase the duration of free time. Poor people usually have very limited options for leisure activities and they cannot indulge themselves for longer duration. There is a positive correlation in between varieties of leisure activities and economic conditions Duration of Daily Leisure Activities: Duration of the leisure activities of the hand rickshaw pullers is grouped into three categories. (Fig: 11.1) In this study it was noticed that rickshaw pullers enjoy their leisure not more than three hours. Most of them (48.8%) answered that they enjoy 1 to 2 hours of free time. 0-1 hr, 10.80% 2-3 hrs, 40.40% 1-2 hrs, 48.80% Fig 11.1: Duration of leisure activities (Source: Primary Data) 227

2 Poor rickshaw pullers usually have free time after the work at night. After lunch, they prefer to rest. So, during the busy schedule of daytime, they never get time for leisure. After returning to their Dera or shelter they enjoy the free time, before and after dinner. Economic status of the rickshaw pullers also does not support longer leisure period % rickshaw pullers spend less than one hour for recreation and most of them are aged persons. After a days fatigue they prefer to rest. Nominal spatial differences are noticed in duration of leisure activities throughout the city. (Table: 11.1) Duration of Daily Leisure Activities Zones of Kolkata North Kolkata Central Kolkata South Kolkata Total N= hr 8 (10.12%) 7 (7.69%) 12 (15%) 27 (10.8%) 1-2 hrs 35 (44.30%) 51 (56.04%) 36 (45%) 122 (48.8%) 2-3 hrs 36 (45.57%) Total 79 Table 11.1: Duration of leisure activities (Percentage value is given within bracket with absolute value) 11.2 Types of Daily Leisure Activities: 33 (36.26%) (40%) 80 (Source: Primary Data) 101 (40.4%) 250 The study revealed that the rickshaw pullers have limited options for recreation or leisure activities. Like other informal workers, these poor people enjoy those activities that require minimum expenditure. They usually prefer group activities like playing cards, gossiping with friends, group worshipping, etc. These activities do not require much monetary expenditure. During the survey, 39.6% of rickshaw pullers informed that they have no specific leisure activities, except chatting with the friends. Other major activities are playing cards followed by listening FM/ radio, worshipping, watching TV and reading newspapers or books. (Fig: 11.2) 228

3 Photograph 11.1: Chat with friends Photograph 11.2: Playing cards Photograph 11.3: Reading news paper Photograph 11.4: Watching T.V 229

4 Photograph 11.5: Maithili sankirtan be played by rickshaw pullers and others Photograph 11. 6: Commonly used instruments for Sankirtan 230

5 % of HRP 40.00% 35.00% 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00% Type of Leisure Activities Chat with Friends 39.60% Listening FM/Radio 14% Watching TV 8.80% Play Cards 18% Worshipping 14.00% Reading News Paper/ Book 8.80% Fig 11.2: Types of leisure activities (Source: Primary Data) Chatting or gossiping is a unique stress remover. It enhances personal expression and exchange of information. During the conversation rickshaw pullers share their daily experiences, problems, progress and emotions. Moreover, this activity increases the social bondage and creates harmonic relations. Since most of them are migrated and lives without families, this practice keeps them away from loneliness. They prefer this mostly because it does not hamper their work and rest time. During the preparation of meal, dinner or bed time they usually chat with friends. Many of them said that after hard work, it is difficult to concentrate on other activities so they prefer it. Another section told that their economic status does not permit other leisure activities so they are satisfied with it. Subject of the chatting are mainly related with their day s experience, family matters, income, expenditures and seldom politics. They have less interest in sports, film or music. Some time elder persons discuss religious myths with stories and folk tales. This conversation plays an important role to reduce workplace conflicts among 231

6 rickshaw pullers. It gives a chance to create a strategy for the problems related to their work. During this practice the newcomers come into the contact with the experienced guys which help them to understand their work environment. They get guidance and learn the basic principles of their business. The newcomers positively admitted that conversation with seniors during these chats, groom them enough to sustain in the harsh city life of Kolkata. Playing cards is another preferable leisure activity of the rickshaw pullers. 18.4% rickshaw pullers informed that they regularly play cards. They usually prefer it during free time at night. Sometime they organize a competition of cards with other groups and also take part in gambling. 14% of rickshaw pullers admitted that they regularly take part in group worshipping. (Photograph: 11.5) These rickshaw pullers all are Biharis. In this activity they play Maithili Sankirtan, religious bhajanas, and folk songs. Some groups also use musical instruments. Most commonly used instruments are dhol, duggi drum, kanjira, khartal, harmonium and occasionally flute. (Photograph: 11.6) This spiritual activity is limited within Hindu communities. They organize it with the people from the same ancestral places. Spiritual atmosphere of worshipping helps them to overcome fatigue and stress. During the worshipping, spiritual folk tales are also delivered from Hindu epics and Purana. The folk tales are very common, carries suggestive notes of different problems of daily life. However, there is no such spiritual leader or guru in this group activity. Mainly the elderly persons of the groups having spiritual knowledge play a key role in performance. Various persons from other occupations, but from the same place of origin take part in this programme. Duration of the activity is limited to one- two hours. On the eve of auspicious days it is usually increased and prasads are also served. This spiritual activity is mainly practiced in comparatively older Dera or shelters in all three zones of the city. However, it is comparatively less popular in central Kolkata. (Table: 11.2). In the central part of the city Muslim pullers are higher in numbers and Hindu pullers share the stands with them. Not only that, they also share their shelters with Muslim friends. So, they don t have much scope for it. Older rickshaw pullers also complained that the new generation is losing their interest in this event and group activities becoming irregular nowadays. 232

7 Types of Daily Leisure Activities Zones of Kolkata North Kolkata Central Kolkata South Kolkata Chat with friends 26 (32.91%) 39 (42.85%) 34 (42.5%) Listening FM/Radio (10.12%) (13.18%) (18.75%) Watching TV (18.98%) (7.69%) (0%) Play Cards (17.72%) (23.08%) (13.75%) Worshipping (16.45%) (6.59%) (20%) Reading news papers/books (3.8%) (6.59%) (5%) Total Table 11. 2: Types of daily leisure activities (Percentage value is given within bracket with absolute value) (Source: Primary Data) 99 (39.6%) 35 (14%) 22 (8.8%) 46 (18.4%) 35 (14%) 13 (5.2%) 250 Total 14% of rickshaw pullers enjoy listening to FM and radio. Young rickshaw pullers prefer FM and use cheap radio sets. These radios are not only portable, but can be used with earphones. A few uses mobile handsets for FM frequencies which mainly telecast popular music. However, some old rickshaw pullers are also listeners of radio (medium wave frequency). Their radio sets are comparatively older and bigger in size. They prefer news and different programmes of AIR Vividh Bharati station, mainly old melodious Hindi songs. Only 8.8% rickshaw pullers watch television and they are mainly staying in north and central Kolkata. No one from South Kolkata informed about watching T.V. (Table: 11.2) Some local pullers have T.Vs in their homes (local pullers) and the rest watch T.Vs either in their Deras (shelter) or in tea stalls. Only two Deras or shelters have T.V. Commercial Hindi film is the most preferable programme of the rickshaw pullers. Not surprisingly, only 5.2% rickshaw pullers informed that they use their free time reading books or newspapers. In this category choice of newspaper is more popular than books. However, no one reads English papers. Bengalis read Bengali and Biharis read Hindi newspapers. Political news is the main attraction, though a few have an interest in film and sports. Only two persons informed about the practice of reading books, both are Bengalis and educated. 233

8 Prasnjit Naskar (24years) is from Sardarati village of the Baisrhat police station, pulling rickshaw at Bowbazar, Kol-12. He has 10th standard certificate. He reads books and magazines for competitive examinations. He also reads story books. Partha Mondal (35 years) is from Taldi village of the Canning police station, pulling rickshaw at Sashi Bhusan Dey, Kol-12. Though he studied up to 7 th standard, regularly reads various novels, short stories and also writes Bengali poems and short stories Special Leisure Activities around Kolkata: During the survey rickshaw pullers were asked about their leisure activities around Kolkata. According to the socio-economic status of the rickshaw pullers watching movies in theatres; visit to Alipore Zoo, Victoria Memorial, Maidan; visiting pandals during Durga Puja and having food in restaurants are considered as special leisure activities. (Fig: 11.3) It was asked that whether they tried once these or enjoyed during their long stay in Kolkata. They were suggested to answer in positive (yes) or negative (no) mode. The responses are as fig no: % 100% 16.80% 80% 60% 54% 69.60% 61.20% 83.20% 62% 89.20% 40% 20% 46% 30.40% 38.80% 38% 10.80% 0% Watching Movie in Theatres Visit to Zoo Visit to Victoria Memorial Visit to Maidan Visit to Durga Puja Pandals Ever Having food in Restaurant Yes No Fig 11.3: Special leisure activities around Kolkata (Source: Primary Data) 234

9 Most common special leisure activity among the rickshaw pullers is the visit to Maidan ( a large open ground with vegetations in central Kolkata). Maidan is located at the heart of the city, easily accessible from all parts of the city. It is famous among the city dwellers in winter seasons (different sports), for an evening stroll in summer. 83.2% of surveyed rickshaw pullers admitted that they visited Maidan for leisure. It is much preferable destination for the rickshaw pullers of central and south Kolkata than those from the north Kolkata. (Table: 11.3) Due to comparatively long distance, rickshaw pullers of north visit less to the famous ground. Watching movie is another preferable leisure activity and 46% of rickshaw pullers watched it at least once in Kolkata. Old persons informed that they used to watch Hindi movies in cheap cinema halls, but stopped it with the increase of the ticket price. However, nowadays with the promotion of Bhojpuri films, a good section again started to visit the cheap cinema halls. These movie theatres mainly run commercial Bhojpuri films with a flavour of rural Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These films are very popular among the middle aged persons as these are full of violence and sexuality. These movies play in night shows and mainly watched by Bihari workers. These cinema halls are mainly located at C.R Avenue, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Burra Bazar, Lalin Sarani, and Bhawanipur areas. Photograph 11.7: Cheap cinema halls commonly visited by rickshaw pullers 235

10 Types of Leisure Activities around Kolkata Watching Movie in Theatres 41 (51.9%) Visit to Zoo 20 (25.31%) Visit to Victoria 30 Memorial (37.97%) Visit to Maidan 54 (68.35%) Visit to Durga 35 Puja Pandal (44.30%) Having food in a 10 Restaurant (12.66%) Number of Positive Respondents & Different Type of Special Leisure Activities around Kolkata North Kolkata N=79 Central Kolkata N=91 South Kolkata N=80 Total N= (42.86%) 25 (27.47%) 29 (31.87%) 81 (89.01%) 33 (36.26%) 9 (9.99%) 35 (43.75%) 31 (38.75%) 38 (47.5%) 73 (91.25%) 27 (33.75%) 8 (10%) 115 (46%) 76 (30.4%) 97 (38.8%) 208 (83.2%) 95 (38%) 27 (10.8%) Table 11.3: Types of spatial leisure activities and participants ( Percentage value is given within bracket with absolute value) (Source: Primary Data) Poor rickshaw pullers of the city have less interest in those recreational activities that require monetary expenditure. So, only 30.4% of the rickshaw pullers visited Alipur Zoo and 38.8% visited Victoria Memorial. Some of them informed that they had visited these two places to make memorable the visits of their relatives in Kolkata. Similarly, only 10.8% of the surveyed rickshaw pullers informed that they tasted the foods in any restaurant of Kolkata. Actually, these poor persons always avoid these types of leisure activities and their economic status does not permit it. Durga Puja is the most spectacular festival in Kolkata. On the eve of the festival every corner of the city is decorated with lights and become colourful. No one can ignore the festive mood of the city. During the Puja, the city becomes more crowded and large crowds come into the city to enjoy the flavour of the festival. Usually, the persons who stay in the city directly or indirectly participate in this festival. During the five days of Puja, people prefer to visit different Pandals. In this study, 38% of the rickshaw pullers informed that they visit pandals during Puja. Hindu pullers, mainly Bengalis and few Biharis do this, but not in every day of the Puja. However, the majority of the pullers does not prefer it because it is one of their peak seasons of business. Chathh is the main festival of the Biharis which is celebrated immediately after Diwali. Most of the Biharis visit their country home on that occasion. So, they try to earn extra wages during Durga Puja. Though, a few Bengali Muslim pullers visit Puja pandals but Bihari Muslims do not prefer it. 236

11 11.4 Exclusive Leisure Activities: The present study also tried to understand the exclusive leisure activities of the rickshaw pullers. But due to poor economic conditions they have very limited options for that. There is a tradition of purchasing lottery tickets among informal workers in India. 56.4% of rickshaw pullers informed that they regularly purchase lottery tickets to try their luck. This practice is comparatively popular among the younger and middle aged pullers. They purchase cheap tickets in lesser amount. They prefer to buy tickets from known vendors and also purchase on credit. Old rickshaw pullers have less interest in the lottery. Actually, younger generations have a serious urge to change their economic condition within a short span, unlike the older persons. However, no one admitted about receiving of big lottery prizes. Interestingly, all the ticket purchasers unanimously agreed that it is a bad habit, but still they are trying luck as an addicted person. There is a spatial variation found in percentage of purchasing of lottery tickets in all three zones of the city. (Table: 11.4) Rickshaw pullers of South Kolkata purchase comparatively more than other two parts of the city. Exclusive Leisure Activities Habit of Purchase lottery Visit to commercial sex workers Zones of Kolkata & Number of Positive Respondents North Kolkata N=79 45 (56.96%) 10 (12.66%) Central Kolkata N=91 46 (50.55%) 15 (16.48%) Table 11.4: Exclusive leisure activities (Percentage value is given within bracket with absolute value) South Kolkata N=80 50 (62.5%) 17 (21.25%) (Source: Primary Data) Total N= (56.4%) 42 (16.8%) Only 16.8% have the habit to visit commercial sex workers at a regular interval. These rickshaw pullers are spread in all three zones of the city (Table: 11.4), comparatively more in south Kolkata. It was noticed that, rickshaw pullers who live near the red light areas of the city, mainly have developed this habit. There are three major red light areas in Kolkata, Sonagachi, Prem Chand Boral Street and Kalighat. Sonagachi is the one of the big red light areas of the world. It is located in north Kolkata, at crossing of C.R Avenue and Beadon Street of Shova Bazar. Street prostitution is also practiced in these areas in cheap rates. Sealdah and Esplanade are another two places where street prostitutes do their business. Rickshaw pullers of 237

12 north Kolkata, mainly Bagbazar, College Street, Ramdulal Sarkar Street, Sova Bazar etc. area prefer Sonagachi. Premchand Boral Street (in front of Calcutta Medical College) is an important red light area of central Kolkata. It is visited by the rickshaw pullers of Bowbazar, Colootala Street. Rickshaw pullers of Sealdah region, visit street prostitute near the Jagat Cinema hall and under Sealdah fly over. Rickshaw pullers of South Kolkata, mainly visit Kalighat area which is just beside the Temple Road. Rickshaw pullers are poor; they cannot afford the facilities of brothels so they prefer street prostitutes. There are several rickshaw pullers near Kalighat who live with the prostitutes in Kalighat area. They are staying as a couple with mutual understanding. That s why the number of visitors to commercial sex workers is high in south Kolkata. (Table: 11.4) Babul Paswan is 30 years old rickshaw pullers, from Police Station Kanti, District Darbhanga, Bihar, pulling rickshaw at Temple Road, Kalighat. He shared his work experience; Main sadhisuda hun, ghar me mera paribar bhi hayin. Magar yehain ek aurat ke stah mera talukat hain. Abhi mayain bibi ko talaq de kar is aurat ke sath rehena chata hun. Uska kamai yada hain to hum kirai ke ghar me rehe sakta hun. He told that though he is married, but has a relation with a sex worker in Kalighat area. Now he wants to leave his family and stay with the sex worker. So, he is trying to rent a room. He also admitted that his partner (sex worker) has better income so they can afford a rented room. It was noticed that middle aged married persons are mainly the visitors to the sex worker than young persons. (Table: 11.5) Some persons prefer to visit same sex worker, as they have mutual understanding and it becomes economically profitable for them. Among the visitors % are married persons and % are in between years. (Table: 11.5) So, it is clear that middle aged persons who stay away from family mainly visit to commercial sex workers. Only 4.76% were found to have age less than 20 years, regularly meet prostitutes. Average age of the visitors to sex workers is (SD or σ 9.404) years and the average number of visits/month is There is a positive correlation between age and number of visits/month to the sex workers. Younger generations are less interested to visit commercial sex workers 238

13 No of Visit / month than their seniors. (fig: 11.4) Calculated correlation coefficient is , which is positively significant. Zones Age Groups & Material Status 20 Years years years Total Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Total North Kolkata N=10 Central Kolkata N=15 South Kolkata N=17 Total N= (90%) (60%) (76.47%) 2 (4.76%) 15 (35.71%) 25 (59.52%) 31 (73.80%) Table 11. 5: Age groups & marital status of visitor to commercial sex workers (Percentage value is given within bracket with absolute value) (Source: Primary Data) 1 (10%) 6 (40%) 4 (24.53%) 11 (26.19%) Correlation coefficient value is y = x R² = age in Years Fig 11.4: Relationship between age and no. of visit/month to commercial sex workers (Source: Primary Data) Among the visitors to the commercial sex worker, only 45.24% use condom, rest others do not use it. (Table: 11.6) So, these rickshaw pullers are very much vulnerable to STD and HIV/AIDS. Those who use condoms even they do not prefer, but sex workers force them to use it. From this statistics, it is clear that rickshaw pullers of the city are not well aware about the danger of the HIV/AIDS. Among the regular visitors to the sex workers, 64.29% are completely unaware about the cause and consequences of the HIV/AIDS, 28.57% partly aware and only 7.14% fully aware. (Table: 11.6) 239

14 Zones North Kolkata N=10 Central Kolkata N=15 South Kolkata N=17 Total N=42 (100) Awareness about HIV/AIDS Unaware Partly Aware Fully Aware Total Use of Condom Use of Condom Use of Condom Use of Condom Total Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No (40%) (60%) (53.33%) (41.18%) 27 (64.29%) 12 (28.57%) 3 (7.14%) 19 (45.24%) 7 (46.67) 10 (58.82) 23 (54.76%) Table 11. 6: Awareness about HIV/ AIDS & response about use of condom (Percentage value is given within bracket with absolute value) (Source: Primary Data) There are various miss conception about this disease among the rickshaw pullers and unknowing the cause and consequences, they are practicing this habit. A few unaware (about HIV AIDS and STD) rickshaw pullers use condom (Table: 11.6) due to pressure from sex workers. Sex workers in the city are comparatively more aware about these diseases due to a comprehensive awareness programme of different NGOs. In spite of this, a good section of sex workers is allowing the customers without condom, only to avoid refusal. So, this leisure activity of rickshaw pullers is becoming dangerous and can become fatal. There must be a regular awareness campaign for the informal workers in the city against HIV/AIDS. Otherwise a large section of this poor working class will be infected. In this regard few NGOs are doing excellent work with NACCO