71-year-old Kerala autorickshaw driver 'runs' a unique anti-drug campaign
When families ride his rickshaw, he gets to see them turning into ‘campaigners’ themselves, often, says Thankachan.
When families ride his rickshaw, he gets to see them turning into ‘campaigners’ themselves, often, says Thankachan.
When families ride his rickshaw, he gets to see them turning into ‘campaigners’ themselves, often, says Thankachan.
Everest Thankachan, an autorickshaw driver who operates from the Changanassery KSRTC auto stand in Kottayam district, has been fighting against drug abuse since 2018. And how? By converting his auto into a travelling message board, he has posters on the ill effects of drugs and anti-drug campaigns pasted inside and outside his vehicle. Moreover, while carrying passengers, he sensitises them to the various side effects of drug addiction.
The past is what fuels Thomas Antony, aka Everest Thankachan (71), a native of Manjadikkara who has been an autorickshaw driver since the age of 22. “I have used drugs in the past, so I know the effect it has on people. As a former user, I strive to educate others by sharing my own experiences and the issues that arise from using the product. Some people listen with interest, others pick arguments,” he says with a smile.
Apparently, there are even those who poke fun at his attempts. He narrates an example. “I have a poster on my vehicle that goes ‘Unaru samoohame unaroo, laharikkethire poradu (Wake up society, wake up; Fight against drugs as they are dangerous).’ Once, I came across a set of youngsters who were using substances. When they saw the message on my rickshaw, they said, ‘Uncle, don’t worry. We don’t sleep, so there is no need to wake up!’ Now, how would one respond to that,” Thankachan quips. There are also times when his riders have asked him why the government isn’t shutting beverage shops if drugs and alcohol are so detrimental to society, he recalls.
When families ride his rickshaw, he gets to see them turning into ‘campaigners’ themselves, often, says Thankachan. “The wife often points the husband’s attention to the messages and says, ‘Do you understand now? Please read these messages',” he says.
Leading by example
Thankachan says he tried giving up drugs first in 1990. “However, I should confess that a few times after that, I was tricked into using it. Therefore, I can’t call myself completely sober since then. But, after 2017, I haven’t used drugs. It was a decision I took for the future of my three sons.” He pasted the posters first on his vehicle in 2018 as part of a church-led anti-drug campaign, but decided not to remove them afterwards.
Thankachan has also served as a municipal councillor from 2020 to 25. He named his autorickshaw ‘Everest,’ in memory of the Everest Hotel that was run by his father and grandfather at the boat jetty. Ever since, Everest became part of his name, too.