CHENNAI: Next time you get into a cab, and find your driver speaking impeccable English and talking about general affairs, politics and education …don’t be surprised! Meet Vijey Srinivas, a 47-year old logistician-cum-cab driver. Hailing from Krishnapuram, Tiruchy this logistician turned-part time cab driver is what one would call Jack of all trades.
Apart from what he already does, he is also an academician and specialises in soft skill training, is a coach for competitive exams like civil service, TNPSC and MBA, and is also a motivational speaker. Vijey says that he really didn’t think he would be where he is right now.
“I grew up in a small village. I wanted to learn and gain knowledge about everything. That’s when I started reading newspapers,” he says crediting his progress to the various newspapers and tabloids. He started taking baby steps into the world of newspapers in 1987 and today, he reads almost six dailies.
“I can’t sleep without reading newspapers. It’s very hard for me to miss the day’s happenings,” shares Vijey, who settled in Chennai in 1992. His love for tabloids made him collaborate with his friends and start a tabloid Port Links (It deals with issues faced in the Chennai port). The tabloid was started to take issues like congestion to the ministry level. But he is no longer a part of it.
“I had other commitments,” explains the Economics graduate from the University of Madras. He aims to become a lecturer in business communication and is also doing a master’s degree in MA Journalism from Madurai Kamaraj University. “I want to keep learning and contribute to society,” he adds.
After serving over two decades in the shipping industry, he started pursuing a career in soft skills.
A qualified trainer, Vijey currently trains students across various institutions in public administration, Indian history, Tamil, Indian Constitution and other subjects.
“I haven’t done MBA. But, I even teach MBA students. I strongly believe having an aptitude for different subjects is more important than holding a degree in that specialisation,” he says.
So, let’s move to the cab part about which most of you are curious about by now. Vijey began to ponder over passenger logistics and cab aggregators and started driving for Uber on January 1 this year.
Travelling around the city, meeting people from different walks of life, networking and earning at the same time, Vijey hit a jackpot and started living the life he loved.
“I’ve met so many people in my journey. Everyone is surprised when I speak in English and talk about politics and current affairs. IT professionals to high command officers, I’ve met them all,” he shares, mentioning a passenger from the US who gave him a $10 tip, impressed by Vijey’s knowledge and skills.
Vijey’s day begins at 4 am and he works for up to 20 hours a day. “I do yoga, meditate and prepare if I have a class to teach. In my spare time I do what I love — drive!” he exclaims.