How is the life of a truck driver in India?

Often, we tend to stereotype truck drivers as reckless and prone to drunk driving, shaped by the accidents we witness on the road. Yet, our perceptions are often skewed, as we rarely have the chance to converse with these essential frontline workers. Truck drivers, crucial for the nation’s functioning, keep it moving, even during crises like COVID. During my all India cycle tour, I had the privilege of engaging with Sarvan Yadav, a 37-year-old truck driver from Bihar. His insights into their challenging lives, marked by long hours in isolation, revealed the profound impact of a lack of education on their overall well-being. This encounter shifted my perspective, ensuring I’ll never view truck drivers the same way again.

What makes an individual pursue a truck driving post in India?

Sarvan Sir unfolded a poignant chapter of his life when I inquired. Growing up in a family of 5 brothers and 1 sister, tragedy struck early as both parents succumbed to an accident during Sarvan’s childhood. Struggling with a lack of income, 4 brothers had to abandon education, turning to collecting and selling scraps in the streets of Delhi for a meager livelihood. The dire situation forced them into a hand-to-mouth existence. The turning point came when the 3rd brother secured a job as a waiter in a hotel and, impressed by his performance, was offered an opportunity to become a truck driver by a businessman. Sarvan explained that the path to becoming a truck driver typically starts with working as a helper for a few years, earning a modest salary of 4 to 5 thousand rupees a month. The experience gained opens the door to climbing the ranks. Inspired by one brother’s success, the remaining siblings joined the same profession to make ends meet. Sarvan entered the trucking world at the age of 17 in 2005, starting as a helper and swiftly ascending to become a truck driver by 2007. He revealed that many truck drivers, driven by lack of education and literacy, embark on this career due to financial constraints, initially struggling to sustain their families.

What are the issues a truck driver in India faces?

When asked about the challenges faced by truck drivers, Sarvan Sir painted a vivid picture of the arduous nature of their work. Every aspect of their lives is riddled with challenges, requiring unwavering consistency, obedience, and discipline to secure and maintain their jobs. The constant threat of being replaced looms, compelling them to spend the majority of their lives in a cramped cabin, earning just enough to support their families. Physical ailments, especially backaches, are commonplace among them. Moreover, their lack of education exposes them to complex documentation processes involving police, MBI, and ITO inspections, often resulting in unnecessary charges. This is a key reason why many truck drivers prefer nocturnal driving to avoid traffic and potential bureaucratic hurdles. Vehicle breakdowns pose another significant challenge, forcing drivers to halt for days without assurances of food or a safe place to rest. Despite the hardships, Sarvan Sir emphasized that a truck driver’s job is not only one of the most challenging but also demands unparalleled consistency, making the driver an unwavering pillar in the face of adversity.

Real life problems of a truck driver in India

For 15 years, Sarvan Sir and his brothers toiled together, building both a robust family and the truck transport service company, Bharath Transport. Today, with a manager overseeing expenditures, documentation, 8 owned trucks, 27 rented ones, and services extended to 35 companies, they’ve achieved substantial success. However, the financial aspect, including household expenses for the four families, is managed by the hired manager since none of them can read, write, or calculate.

Sarvan Sir expressed regret over his lack of financial literacy and the necessity to employ a manager. Unlike personal car drivers who command respect, truck drivers often face a dearth of recognition. Despite the company’s success, Sarvan Sir still drives a truck, acknowledging his limited skill set. He underscored the missed opportunities that education could have provided, enabling him to calculate earnings, gain respect, and engage in leisure activities.

He lamented the challenges of being an uneducated truck driver, unable to read road signs and reliant on asking for directions. This reliance on others is a major reason why truck drivers frequently seek guidance on their routes, compounded by many being unfamiliar with operating phones.

Despite their company’s success, Sarvan Sir painted a stark picture, asserting that they lead a life akin to animals until their demise. Their fervent hope lies in educating the next generation to spare them from the hardships they endured.

Insights into the mindset of a truck driver in India

Engaging in conversation with Sarvan Sir offered me profound insights into the psyche of a truck driver. His simplicity, down-to-earth nature, and unfiltered honesty revealed a man who willingly shared his thoughts and emotions. In fact, he asserted that many truck drivers share a similar disposition to his own. Intrigued by his perspective, I delved deeper into his mindset by posing some personal questions.

Justification and validations

Sarvan Sir expressed that the primary purpose guiding his life is to ensure a better and more dignified life for his children. According to him, dedicating his existence to securing education for his children is the sole justification that holds meaning for him. Their success becomes the validation he seeks in the choices he makes.

Complaints

Sarvan Sir lamented the early departure of his parents, leaving them adrift and without guidance. He expressed regret about the potential he believes education could have unlocked for him. Despite reaching his current stage in life, he conveyed a sense of contentment, stating that he is neither inclined to ascend further nor willing to decline. Interestingly, a similar sentiment was echoed by another individual I encountered in a separate account, a man who sold utensils on the street (refer to this article).

Materialism

When asked what he would do with a substantial sum of money, Sarvan Sir expressed a straightforward desire to enhance the living standards of his family. With a touch of humility, he shared that any remaining funds would be directed towards benefiting his village and supporting the needs of society’s less fortunate.

In a poignant revelation, Sarvan Sir disclosed that people mock him for being a truck driver despite owning a company. This criticism compels him to keep his professional identity private and continue the life he currently leads. It’s disheartening to realize that a lack of education can limit one’s exploration of life’s possibilities, even with financial means.

In response to a request for a message, Sarvan Sir simply conveyed, “Jai Hind,” highlighting his commitment to service. As someone in the service sector, he finds fulfillment in his role. Meeting Mr. Sarvan left a lasting impression, reshaping my perspective on truck drivers. To explore more articles of this nature, visit this page.