Sullia: Automan Chennakeshava's 26-yr Unique Record - Accident-free Service on Same Wheel  

Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)

Sullia, May 11: Chennakeshava’s autorickshaw has been a permanent feature of temple town, Subrahmanya located in the taluk, for the last 26 years. He was the first to introduce an autorickshaw in the town and it is as though he and his vehicle have seen Subrahmanya grow from being a tiny hamlet into a buzzing town.

Chennakeshava from Nadutota in Kaikamba of Bilinele village near Subrahmanya, brought the first autorickshaw into the town in 1984. The minimum auto fare then was Rs 2 and passengers were ferried for 50 paise per head. Chennakeshava vividly remembers the time he took children to school by accepting whatever they offered, even if it was as little as ten paise.

Since beginning, he has been running the autorickshaw, which bears the name ‘Shivaparvati Prasad’. He has a paddy field-turned-arecanut plantation, from which he gets a few quintals of arecanut every year. With the income derived from running the three-wheeler and agriculture, he has educated his three children.

Chennakeshava’s elder daughter, Madhavi, completed MCom this year, while younger daughter is a student of BSc (nursing). His son, a mobile technician, has opened his own shop in Mangalore. Chennakeshava uses mobile phone only at home, for the fear that using it during driving hours like others do may give rise to accidents. He says his auto has met with very few minor accidents during the last two and half decades, and that it was repaired only twice or thrice. Chennakeshava, in spite of running an old model vehicle for so many years, continues to be in demand from his regular, long-standing and loyal customers because of his service-mindedness and sincerity.

Chennakeshava is a good kabaddi and volleyball player, and participates in these tournaments with his band of players. He also is an avid Yakshagana enthusiast. He stands as a testimony to the fact that honesty, sincerity, service-mindedness and earnestness can withstand the onslaught of modern technology and stand the person concerned in good stead. Kudos to Chennakeshava!