gpdm mediagpdm media

Meet Shamba, The Superhero Without a Cape! Riding His Way From 1972 To The Age of 72

- Advertisement -

Under Portuguese rule, motorcycle pilots became a unique part of life in Goa. After 1979, it was incorporated into the Motor Vehicle Act and recognized by the Indian government. In almost every Goan town and village and along 1200 km of major and minor arterial roads, you can find these two-wheeler motorcycle pilots painted black and yellow like auto-rickshaws or taxis.

In the hinterlands of Goa, where public transport is an issue and one has to wade through narrow lanes, pilot taxis have been the most sought-after means of transport.

And as a single person, I don’t think there can be a faster and better way to commute. Pilot taxis have been my saviour in my 5 years of living in Goa.

- Advertisement -

When I came here initially, it was introduced to me as a concept by a friend of mine and I found it amusing. But as I was living alone at that time, it became my most preferred means of commuting.

But riding in pilot taxis I learnt that it wasn’t an easy job, driving under harsh and extreme weather is no joke. Sometimes it’s the hot sun and sometimes the rains come lashing, but I have always seen them prepared for all situations and take their work very seriously. I have never come across a pilot who was drunk or misbehaved in any way.

Although I have come across many pilot taxi drivers, my go-to pilot is Shamba Sonu Maekar. People fondly call him Shamba but for me, he is a pilot uncle. He has been driving since 1972 and today he is 72 years himself. At the young age of 21 years, he became a pilot in the Portuguese Era and even now at this age, he has the same zeal and passion for his work. He works tirelessly from morning to evening, and I have never seen him in a bad mood, he is always smiling and in a happy-go-lucky mood.

He recalls how much Goa has developed over the years, “ It was an only jungle in Porvorim, I clearly remember there was just one house near the central bank and O’Coqueiro was there, the rest was all jungle. I used to live in Salvador Do Mundo and we all used to feel scared coming uphill to Porvorim in the evening time. We used to avoid it as much as possible. There was not even a single house on Chogm Road. And look now, it has evolved so much.”

- Advertisement -

Shamba has been driving for almost 50 years and in his half-a-century-long career he has given rides to many tourists and locals alike. He has seen children grow up and from dropping them to school to now dropping them to their place of work, he has come a long long way. He has carried passengers from the railway station to their hotels, dropped some guy just in time for his interview riding through the narrow lanes, dropped ill people to the hospitals and sometimes made two lovers meet. For me, he is definitely an unsung hero, a superhero without a cape.

When he started earning, he used to earn in ‘annas’. “ We used to charge anywhere between 4 annas to 8 annas per ride during the Portuguese era and then I remember charging 2 Rs for a ride from Mapusa to Panjim a few years later. Now of course the rates have changed, but then so have the expenses”, says Shamba.

Shamba still lives in Salvador with his wife and three daughters and you would find him chit-chatting with the locals near the Federal Bank ATM in Porvorim while he waits for his next customer. And as soon as his phone rings, he would ride away on his bike to pick up his customer and safely drop him at the desired destination. And that is how Shamba makes his living and a very important contribution to Goa’s daily life & tourism business.

AditI Malhotra
AditI Malhotrahttps://foodandhospitality.incrediblegoa.org/
Having covered more than 1000 restaurants and hotels across the country and globe, Aditi found her passion for food and traveling right in her childhood. At a later stage, traveling for work only fuelled this passion further and she started documenting her experiences as a food and lifestyle blogger 12 years ago and since then there has been no looking back!

Related Stories

Discover

IST Seltzer- Taking healthy drinking for a concept to...

Discover IST Seltzer, India's innovative and healthy hard seltzer with only 99 calories, 2 grams of sugar, and 5% ABV. Learn why Krupa & Kunal Shah chose this refreshing beverage for mindful drinking and their plans for its expansion in the Indian market.

Discover the World’s Hidden Gems in ‘The Great One...

Experience the world's finest in a bottle with 'The Great One Sun' Whisky by Cheers Group. This International Blended Whisky combines Scotch Malts, Bourbon, and more for a unique, creamy, and honeyed delight. Embark on a global journey of flavor.

Launch of India’s First Co-Brand Hotel Credit Card by...

Experience unparalleled travel rewards with the inaugural Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card – India's first co-branded hotel credit card. Elevate your journeys with exclusive benefits, Marriott Bonvoy points, and seamless access to a world of travel privileges

Experience The Unity of Flavors at Aikyam Onam Festival...

Immerse yourself in the vibrant celebration of Onam at the Aikyam Onam Festival in Holiday Inn Candolim. Experience the unity of flavors through Kerala's culinary heritage curated by Gita Hari. Join us for a cultural journey that goes beyond taste, celebrating togetherness and harmony. Book your spot now for an unforgettable experience.

Sandeep Kaul Appointed as Director of Operations at Goa...

Meet Sandeep Kaul, the new Director of Operations at Goa Marriott Resort and Spa. With 18+ years of hospitality expertise, he aims to elevate guest experiences and optimize resort operations. Discover his vision for excellence and commitment to exceptional service.

Unmasking the Dangers of Processed Food and Sugary Drinks:...

Discover the hidden threats lurking in processed food and sugary drinks. Learn about the obesity epidemic, artificial additives, nutritional deficiencies, and increased risk of chronic diseases associated with these culprits. Take control of your health by making informed choices and embracing a balanced, whole-food lifestyle.
Advertisement

Popular Categories

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.