BANGALORE: Shiva Kumar, an auto driver by profession, has been nominated for Namma Bangalore award this year. In an interview with City Express, he relates about his life’s journey from an auto driver to a radio jockey. In a city, where people complain of dishonest autorickshaw drivers, Shiva Kumar stands apart as he has earned five certificates for his honesty from more than five commissioners.
Way back in 1994, he returned Rs 2,750 to the police, while in 1996, he returned gold worth Rs 4-5 lakh to the rightful owner. In 1999, he saved a person’s life by admitting him to a hospital on time and also by donating blood. Once, Shiva recovered a mobile near Iskcon Temple and submitted it to the nearby police station.
Last year, he was honoured with Shankar Bidari award for the year 2010-11.
Apart from his innumerable achievements, he has a creative side too. Shiva says, “I like writing poems and songs, which I do during my free time.”
Recognising his achievements, a radio channel, Radio Active has appointed him as a radio jockey. They have taught him how to do both live and recorded programmes on radio.
“I work for 90.4 FM channel. Every Saturday from 9 to 11 am, I conduct a live show through which we try to highlight issues faced by people in their day to day life. We invite RTO officials, members of auto union and various other achievers and innovators.” He further adds, “For my recorded shows, I do the recordings every Wednesday from 8 to 10 am and then I drive the auto.”
A keen social worker, Shiva is today the president of an organisation called Samastha, comprising 12 members.
He stresses, “I want to make it bigger and help people to get proper education.” He is also concerned about various other social issues like neglect of differently-abled people as well as dowry menace.
In a very short span of time, Shiva already has a long list of achievements and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he will definitely be a role model for many of his ilk.