Pradeep Sharma
Mumbai taxi driver Pradeep Sharma welcomes a London taxi driver into his home and working life.
| Fact title | Fact data |
|---|---|
| Age |
30
|
| Lives |
Borival East, Mumbai
|
| Family |
Wife and two sons
|
Pradeep Sharma has been driving a taxi in Mumbai for 12 years.
Although he speaks Marathi (the local language of Maharastra State) he is a third generation migrant to Mumbai. His grandfather came from Uttar Pradesh in North India to work in the city's mills.
Pradeep's wife Sheela (27) was born in a small village in UP. They got married in the village five years ago and moved in to their current house in Borivali East, a northern suburb of Mumbai. As well as their two boys (Abhisekh, 5, and Avinit, 4) they also share their modest home with Pradeep's mother, Agulabkali Sharma (75 years old).
Pradeep's brother and father were also taxi drivers but they both died of Diabetes. Pradeep has since committed to financially supporting his mother and his sister in law and her children.
Like most of the migrant taxi drivers in the city Pradeep used to rent a Fiat Padmini taxi but four years ago he bought his Suzuki Omnivan on loan. He has 14 more months instalments of 8000 rupees to pay before he owns it outright. These payments and fuel costs mean that he has about 600 rupees of outgoings a day before he is in profit. With so many people to support he has to make at least 1000 rupees a day to survive. But as Mason finds out, on the streets of Mumbai, this is no mean feat.
Pradeep is of Brahmin caste and is a devout Hindu. His devotion to 'Ganpati' or Lord Ganesh provides a framework for his life and helps him through his daily struggle.
Although he speaks Marathi (the local language of Maharastra State) he is a third generation migrant to Mumbai. His grandfather came from Uttar Pradesh in North India to work in the city's mills.
Pradeep's wife Sheela (27) was born in a small village in UP. They got married in the village five years ago and moved in to their current house in Borivali East, a northern suburb of Mumbai. As well as their two boys (Abhisekh, 5, and Avinit, 4) they also share their modest home with Pradeep's mother, Agulabkali Sharma (75 years old).
Pradeep's brother and father were also taxi drivers but they both died of Diabetes. Pradeep has since committed to financially supporting his mother and his sister in law and her children.
Like most of the migrant taxi drivers in the city Pradeep used to rent a Fiat Padmini taxi but four years ago he bought his Suzuki Omnivan on loan. He has 14 more months instalments of 8000 rupees to pay before he owns it outright. These payments and fuel costs mean that he has about 600 rupees of outgoings a day before he is in profit. With so many people to support he has to make at least 1000 rupees a day to survive. But as Mason finds out, on the streets of Mumbai, this is no mean feat.
Pradeep is of Brahmin caste and is a devout Hindu. His devotion to 'Ganpati' or Lord Ganesh provides a framework for his life and helps him through his daily struggle.
