Work-Space Mumbai. International Permit Holder.
Name: Hakimullah. Born in Bihar, lives in Mumbai.
Employer: Mahindra.
Occupation: Driver
Job description: Deliver new Mahindra jeeps and pick-ups across India (from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Gujarat to Arunachal), Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China (across the NE border). He's been doing this for 30 years.
Home: Kandivali (East)
Real Home: NH, SH, Tarred Road, Kutcha Road, Non-existent roads, etc.
Current delivery: Thrishur in Kerala.
Route: Mumbai - Pune - Belgaum - Dharwad - Karwar Rd - Kundapura - Mangalore bye-pass - Kozhikode - Thrishur.
Asset: Strong. Very strong back.
35.3 kms. Kandivli to Vashi Toll Naka.
He drives vehicles with temporary registration and has his regular brush with cops across India.
According to him, the worst and most corrupt cops are in Mumbai (not rest of Maharashtra) and the most helpful and least corrupt in Kerala. Bihar used to be bad but he says that it's improved a lot. And UP will never change.
It's not a lonely job. There are enough hitch-hikers, like these men at the back and me next to Hakimullah to keep him talking and awake. His next stop was near Pune where they have designated hotels to rest before he starts again early in the morning.
OK Tata Mahindra. Love your job.
