Cabbie ban gaya ambassador

The Haryana Institute of Public Administration , meant primarily to impart training to IAS and state civil service officers, is thronged with taxi and auto rickshaw drivers these days.

Instead of officials, it is the taxi and auto rickshaw drivers who are being imparted training in the high-profile administrative institute in Gurgaon, for they have been identified as “ambassadors of the country” in view of the Commonwealth games in Delhi.

“Their training is largely focused on speaking basic English and observing behavioural courtesies for all those who would be flocking the national capital during the Commonwealth games”, said Director of HIPA, Rajni Shekhri Sibbal.

She said that the drivers were being imparted training in speaking English, stress management, first-aid and in methods of practising yoga while seated in the vehicle. The drivers would be provided four, three and two stars for wearing on their clothes based on their performance during the training.

As many as 3,500 taxi drivers and 8,000 auto rickshaw drivers would be provided training before the start of the Commonwealth games.

Each driver was being given Rs.200 per day, besides lunch during the training. The name, contact number and vehicle number of the drivers trained by the HIPA would be made available in the websites of the Union Tourism Ministry, Delhi Police and HIPA so that anybody could contact them.