Senior auto driver Monthu Lobo bags Sarathi No. 1 Award

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore , Aug 4, 2012 : The state-level Sarathi No. 1 Award was conferred on Monthu Lobo (77), auto driver and social worker of Mangalore, at the World Drivers’ Day celebrations held by the Indian Vehicle Drivers’ Trade Union ®, Bangalore on July 28, 2012 in Town Hall, Bangalore.

Monthu Lobo, a senior auto driver, is the founder member of the Mangalore Mahanagar Auto Rickshaw Chalakara Sangha (MMARCS). He has worked as an auto driver for 54 years and has not been penalized even once by the police department for breaking traffic rules. He has also received a number of awards from different associations and institutions from all over Mangalore.

Advocate Ivan D’Souza, President Shekhar,

Secretary Cyril D’Souza, and many others wished Monthu Lobo success.

About Monthu Lobo

Monthu Lobo, one of the first auto rickshaw drivers of Mangalore, keeps away from alcohol and calls himself a “tea man.” He has seen the city develop from the days of bullock carts to the days of motor vehicles. He is fond of driving and doesn’t want to stop, and even at the ripe old age of 77, he takes his auto rickshaw out at around 4:00 a.m.

Monthu is one of 10 siblings and has studied only up to Std VI at St. Sebastian School in Bendoor. Poverty forced him to give up his studies and he started working in a cycle repair shop to earn for the family. In 2008, he purchased his auto rickshaw with his savings. He loves playing cricket and today lives with his wife, daughter in law, and son, who also has an auto rickshaw and has been an auto driver for the past 5 years.