Life of a diplomat is usually associated with style, opulence, and luxury. Even head of missions of poorest countries are seen commuting no less than in Mercedes, BMWs, and other lavish brands on Delhi streets. But the Mexican ambassador to India, Melba Pria, has her own style. She uses autorickshaw for transportation. It is an unusual sight on a Delhi road, to see a beautiful white and floral painted autorickshaw, complete with a diplomatic "blue" number plate and a Mexican flag to boot.
Mexico, 15th largest economy of the world with $10,307.28 GDP per capita against $1,498.87 GDP per capita of India has learned lessons to avoid pollution, but also to keep pace with manufacturing. The ambassador dumped her lavish Mercedes and choose to commute in autorickshaw, to contribute to clean Delhi air. "I share the same air and water as millions of Delhiites. While I am still Mexican, today, here and now, I must think as a resident of Delhi."
She recalls that in 1992, Mexico City had just eight good air quality days. But with the national efforts, last year there were 214 good air quality days, against Delhi, which counted just 16 such days. "This is a reality and we need to contribute our bit to increase air quality," she said.
"We got panicked, when we traces of lead were detected in the blood of children in 1992. Same year, in a survey conducted by ministry of education found that most of the children described colour of sky as grey and brown. This was an awakening call," said the ambassador.
Enumerating steps, her country took to bring down pollution levels, Pria said the first step was to coordinate actions between the national and regional governments. "We took heavy industries, oil refineries out from the city, fixed air quality standards," she said, adding that the country also had a car restriction programme, but that was a little component of overall steps. It was made mandatory for car manufacturers to sell cars fitted with converters.
"Strict standards set for industries did make them to adhere to norms. Initially for adopting to pollution free technologies, government did help them with subsidies," she added.
On Delhi's APP government's 15-day odd-even scheme, she said it would not make difference, unless accompanied by other steps as well. Road in India are not finished properly. The edges continue to gather dust, which is main pollutant in the city.
But, her commuting in autorickshaw has its own travails also. In April, her vehicle wasn't allowed to enter premises of the India Habitat Centre, the cultural hub of Delhi, where she was invited to deliver a lecture and ironically on transportation. Same is situation when she has to visit a five-star hotel. When her office applied for a CD number to the protocol division of ministry of external affairs (MEA), there were number of queries. Officials in South Block wanted to be doubly sure, if she really wanted to commute in an auotrickshaw. Finally, though surprised, they granted permission.
While the ambassador says she has received a lot of positive response from Delhiites, her driver is stumped at times, who was used to driving luxurious vehicles. People sometime approach him to board the three- wheeler.
"After long arguments, they realise it is not an ordinary rickshaw, but not before threatening to go to police etc," said the driver Rajinder Kumar.
"When the ambassador first told me that I had to drive an auto-rickshaw, I was extremely nervous," he said. He has now driven this auto-rickshaw to Rashtrapati Bhavan, South Block, and even to Delhi outskirts Gurgaon.
The auto was designed by Mexican artist Senkoe, who participated in the Delhi Street Art Festival this February.
The envoy also admits that her autorickshaw catches the attention of most people on the streets. "The first thing that catches people's eyes is the fun design, which is inspired by our tourism promotion campaign and the beautiful spectrum of colours" said the Ambassador Pria.
