New Delhi:
The roads at Delhi University's North Campus bear a different and refreshing look. No the streets aren't any easier to drive on than they were a few days ago. Designer rickshaws are the centre of attraction in the area these days.
The vehicles have been designed in a manner to give them the look of carts that ran in the 18th century. The rickshaws were flagged off by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on the 21st of January. They officially hit the roads in the second week of February.
These rickshaws were already a hit with the students of Delhi University, who are really appreciating and enjoying the ride. They have been contrived by many famous fashion designers including Rohit Bal, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Manav Gangwani.
An organisation named Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) has launched this programme. It helps rickshaw drivers own the vehicles because by aiding them in procuring loans from Punjab National Bank (PNB).
"We launched this programme on the 21st of January with the help of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). The main reason behind launching such designer rickshaws is to provide credit to the rickshaw driver and we also help them get loans. We also provide the drivers with identity cards and insurance. We formed the society Students in Free Enterprise just to support these rickshaw drivers," said Ashima Gupta, Co-president of SIFE.
"Students also prefer to take a ride on these designer rickshaws and 40 students from SRCC are also a part of this programme," she added.
"The rickshaws are super amazing and very attractive. I really like to thank the designers for making Delhi University look so fashionable. I have never seen DU so attractive before," said Apoorv Mathur, a DU student.
"It was a great feeling to be a part of this move that Delhi University has made to promote rickshaw as a non-polluting mode of transport with an added attraction of these being designer rickshaws," said couturier Manav Gangwani.