One fascinating change in Indian railway stations in recent years is the gradual extinction of the "Coolie" - an occupation rendered more irrelevant by the day
And interestingly this change has been triggered by suitcase design
(Contd..)
And interestingly this change has been triggered by suitcase design
(Contd..)
Growing up in the 90s, it was still a common enough sight to see coolies employed in railway stations to carry the heavy luggage on his shoulders up to the auto-rickshaw stand
Today in the Chennai station, I hardly found anyone hiring a coolie
Today in the Chennai station, I hardly found anyone hiring a coolie
Most people (including elderly people) are now OK with the idea of carrying the luggage themselves.
Not because they look forward to it more.
But because suitcases have wheels! Which they seldom did 20 years ago
Not because they look forward to it more.
But because suitcases have wheels! Which they seldom did 20 years ago
Even elderly ladies find it pretty much within their means to tow the suitcase along with minimal exertion
The coolies still are not quite absent. I found a few of them loitering around. But they found no takers!
The coolies still are not quite absent. I found a few of them loitering around. But they found no takers!
