The Longest Serving Taxi Driver in Delhi?
Last night, rather later and not quite as sober as anticipated, I asked the establishment of my choice to order a taxi for me. Being quite a swanky place I was delighted when a battered, old, original black and yellow ambassador turned up. But this was no ordinary battered ambi, no! This one was driven by Dr Taxi Driver Sahib (His official title according to his business card) who has been driving cabs in Delhi for over 40 years. He delighted in showing me his award at having being voted Delhi’s best taxi driver back in 1982 as well as his album of pictures of the people he has driven over the years which includes the owner of Karma Cabs in London, Amitabh Bachchan, Rahul Gandhi and now of course, me. He then showed me his book of thanks with notes written about his services by his clients going back, well, over 40 years.
We discussed which was better to have, the book of thanks or the photo album whilst driving around at 20kms per hour (his very top speed) and being stopped every so often by other taxi drivers who all paid their respects to him like he was the godfather of all the black and yellow ambassador drivers in Delhi. This happened three times on a 25 minute journey. He was delighted when we got to my house and he saw The Babe, there is a common bond between all of us die hard Ambassador owners. He inspected her from all angles and waggled his head and told me, ‘very nice car madam, very good choice, hmm, very much good.’ Of course he then proceeded to royally rip me off and overcharged me by adding a good 25% onto the meter rate, a true professional Delhiite but he did it without making me feel bad. What a pro and what a find! I have his card and will be discovering more of Delhi with him…
If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy: https://memsahibinindia.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/in-india-we-speak-like-this-only/
11 Comments
Arvind Passey (@arvindpassey)
September 22, 2015 at 12:06 pmCharmingly hilarious post… at least parts of it are, and the rest doodles an image of India that India really needs.
Arvind Passey
http://www.passey.info
Philippa Kaye
September 23, 2015 at 3:01 amThank you….
Marina Marangos
September 22, 2015 at 9:12 pm15 Rupees for a cup of chai oh my things have changed. But a lot hasn’t and finding the charm and uniqueness in these people is what it is all about x m
Philippa Kaye
September 23, 2015 at 3:00 amMumbai – its expensive! 🙂 I daren’t tell you how much the Taj charged us for tea and cake, criminal!
Marina Marangos
September 22, 2015 at 9:12 pm15 Rupees for a cup of chai oh my things have changed. But a lot hasn’t and finding the charm and uniqueness in these people is what it is all about x m
Philippa Kaye
September 23, 2015 at 3:00 amMumbai – its expensive! 🙂 I daren’t tell you how much the Taj charged us for tea and cake, criminal!
Marilyn Murphy
September 23, 2015 at 1:50 amI always enjoy reading about my beloved India. Can’t wait to return – hopefully soon!
Philippa Kaye
September 23, 2015 at 3:00 amWe look forward to having you back!
Marilyn Murphy
September 23, 2015 at 1:50 amI always enjoy reading about my beloved India. Can’t wait to return – hopefully soon!
Philippa Kaye
September 23, 2015 at 3:00 amWe look forward to having you back!