Mangaluru: A phone call about a dead animal lying by the roadside is enough to make autorickshaw driver Sushan,34, of BC Road leave his regular route and attend to it. He collects the carcass and gives the animal a dignified burial, believing that even in death, animals deserve respect.Started a month ago, the initiative has seen Sushan respond to 10 calls involving five dogs, a cat, two birds and two snakes. He said leaving dead animals on roadsides could lead to decomposition, foul smells and the spread of disease, inconveniencing commuters and posing public health concerns.This is the latest addition to a series of socially driven initiatives that Sushan has incorporated into his autorickshaw, transforming it into a mobile platform for reading, cleanliness, safety and public awareness. He also offers free rides to pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
Interior of Sushan’s autorickshaw
An autorickshaw driver for about two years, Sushan has turned his vehicle into a small mobile library, carrying around 80 to 100 books. Passengers can read them during their journeys or borrow them to take home and return later. His efforts have attracted support from writers, retired teachers, poets and book lovers across Karnataka, who regularly send him books. He receives around five to six calls from people offering books. A Mysuru resident recently sent him 30 to 40 books, while another person donated 200 old books. He also keeps daily newspapers in the vehicle.The autorickshaw also carries drinking water, a dustbin, a mobile charging facility, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, emergency contact numbers, a pickaxe and a broom. Six plants, including tulsi, add a touch of greenery.
Messages promoting honesty, cleanliness and respect for all religions are displayed inside the vehicle, along with photographs of soldiers whom he describes as “real heroes”. Photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mahatma Gandhi are also displayed. Sushan hopes to have the Prime Minister ride in his autorickshaw someday.Over the past week, he visited several schools along with Bantwal municipality staff to promote cleanliness, reading habits, tree planting and social service. He also organised a one-hour cleanliness drive at DKZP School in Balthila and joined college students in cleaning Panambur beach. His mobile library has also been taken to NSS camps.He does not allow passengers to smoke or consume alcohol, gutka or tobacco inside the vehicle, with notices displayed urging them to refrain from such habits.Sushan said Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, actor Deepak Rai Paanaaje and several others had appreciated his efforts.Having aspired to join the armed forces, Sushan had to discontinue his education after Class 9 due to financial difficulties. He later completed Class 10 during the Covid pandemic. Having taken up several jobs, including selling vegetables and working in catering, to support his family, he now also works as a mural artist, painting and decorating schools and panchayat buildings. He has also worked in the art direction department of Tulu films.
