Mysuru: Wearing a neatly ironed kurta and white dhoti, and a gold chain round his neck, M Parthasarathi is often seen driving an auto round the city. But he has to be the oldest auto driver anywhere as he is 92. Unlike the frail old men of his age, he could put any young man to shame as he works 12 hours a day seven days a week, taking no break even during festivals.
Living in Gokulam, Mr Parthasarathy takes off in his auto at 10 am and returns only at 5 pm. He never says no to a customer no matter what his destination. Far from being put off by his age, a few passengers are so keen on using his services that they phone him to book his auto in advance.
But there’s more. The energetic nonegarian sells mouthwatering masala vadas, mixtures and pedas at his shop, Indira Sweets, that he runs in partnership with a friend, C V Ramakrishna on D Subbaiah Road once he gets off his auto at 5 pm.
Over 30 years old, it is popular for not only its delicious food, but also the personal touch Mr Parthasarathi lends it, greeting many regular customers by name and a ready smile.
Ask him his routine and he says, he goes to bed by midnight and wakes up at 6 am. A Brahmin, he begins his day with a pooja and a visit to the Ramakrishna Ashram. A light breakfast later he is off on his auto, returning home for a quick light vegetarian lunch with his 83- year- old wife, Rukminamma , their three sons, and eight grand children, who live with him in a huge joint family. He has one other son and three daughters as well, who are all educated.
Before he began driving autos, of which he owns six today, he worked in a sweet stall for 36 years. While his family keeps telling him to give up his work, he says its unlikely.
