This refers to the editorial, “Sending right signals” (February 26). Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu, during his Budget speech, said that porters would now be called ‘sahayaks’ or helpers and not ‘coolies’. There’s no doubt that the men in red, who jump inside a compartment when the train slowly enters the platform, and offer to carry heavy luggage till the taxi stand, will be very happy. This change in name will add respectability to their profession.
However, we need to wait and watch if this move can bring about a change in the passengers’ attitude towards the ‘sahayaks’ who carry heavy luggage on their heads. This reminds me of the famous song from Coolie, ‘Sari duniya ka bojh hum utathe hain’.