After listening the word smile you may think that the owner must have be a happy man. Yes, Mr Basavaraj Patil the leader of belagavi’s taxi union is surely a cheerful man.
But has also faced many hardships throughout his life. Inspite of all these hardships,his smile never faded
Usually smile is used by dentists and you rarely see it being used by a travel agency. If yo ask Mr Basavaraj why did he choose this name, he’ll answer you that it was because everyone appreciated his smile. He never speaks about his struggles to anyone.
After reading this you will be amazed to know that a man who couldn’t afford a meal has grown up to such a respectable position.
Everything about Mr Basavaraj is unique and inspiring. Like his affection for red color,Have you ever seen a red coloured taxi?
No?, But you will find them in Belagavi. And the man behind it is Mr Basavaraj.
When I asked him how could one think about painting his taxis red?, he replies with a smile that you’ve seen yellow taxis in Bengal, black and yellow taxis in mumbai and white/silver taxis everywhere but not red taxis. It was a unique concept in Belagavi and wanted to try it. Today, some of his customers book his cars as they believe red is lucky for them.
While he was speaking I observed that his fondness for red colour is damn high. As the curtains at his office, his visiting card and even the pen he writes is red in colour.
Today Mr Basavaraj is the leader of belagavi’s taxi union. But to reach here he has overcome a lot of difficulties. He did odd jobs like a driver, office boy, computer operator in pwd and even worked at a Xerox shop.
His first step towards success was on 07/08/09 when he bought a second hand car with loans and the tips which he received as a computer operator.
After this he continued his journey and put up his own travels within 04 months. His travels ran very well and he purchased 05 new cars that year. During this period he also helped 02-03 drivers who had come from a poor background. He arranged a room for them, gave groceries and made sure they were comfortable.
Everything was going well but in 2012 he had a small rift in his family and he had to come out with his wife leaving back everything he had set up.
He had nothing with him
It was difficult for him to work under anyone as from the past few years he was owner of 08 cars and had 05 drivers working for him but he had to take care of his wife.
He had to keep his wife’s mangalsutra for mortgage and start living in a single room.
ಕಷ್ಟ ಜೀವನದ ನಡೆ
With not even a single rupee in his pocket, he walked everywhere in search of a job . He managed to get a job of a driver at a factory. He began a new life. His wife also went for work and supported him during this tough time. This couple also met a generous man who helped them lot , he gave them utensils, mattress and other needful things.
He felt very lucky because once upon a time he was the one who did this for his drivers . That day they felt that God has blessed them for the good deeds they did.
To support his family ,he also worked as a TPD(temporary driver) and went on trips to many places. After dropping a customer to their home it used to be midnight and his home was 10-12 km far. He had to walk at 02 am because he had no other option.
Mr Basavaraj is a very social person and wherever he went ,he met various drivers and understood their problems. He assured them that although he couldn’t solve all their problems but he could try to reduce their burden.
In 2016, With the support of 30 such driver friends he began his travels and “he was the first one in Belagavi to provide door to door driver facility” on daily basis .
As he had already experienced the pain of walking 10 km at midnight, he himself picked and dropped his drivers.
While he began such a good deed,he also faced many obstructions. People indirectly asked to stop him whatever he began but he didn’t fear. He told them that he’ll stop everything and sit at home but you should pay my bills,my daughter’s school fees and for my food. He further adds, we must always do our work with honesty and must never fear about anything. If anyone tries to pull your legs,just pull away your legs and climb upwards.
Driving test at smile travels-
Mr Basavaraj himself takes a driver’s test before appointment him. He takes a old car which is not in good condition and takes them on very narrow and poor condition roads. He confuses them by his commands and tries to test their focus and patience. If a driver manges to drive back to the office then he’s selected or else Mr Basavaraj asks him to get more practice and drives back alone to his office.
A visiting card worth of appreciation-
The motto of smile travels -” Travel a mile with a smile” is not the only worthy thing. He has also mentioned that the food expenses must be paid by the customer and about the overtime charges of a driver if he drives mors than 300 kms a day. He did all these because he has served as a driver and knows that driving is a tiresome job.
Today Mr Basavaraj has 5000 and counting happy customers in Belagavi and as the leader of taxi union is working on implementation of new policies for the welfare drivers and their families.
#lovecareshare #inspiration
A's diary 