Latest news with #Shekar
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Over 1 lakh gig workers affected: Bengaluru Bike taxi ban sparks demand for policy framework; riders say service was their only lifeline
BENGALURU: The ban on bike taxis has left thousands of riders in the lurch, stripping them of a livelihood that many had come to rely on. From college students riding to pay their fees to tech professionals laid off during the slowdown, bike taxis had emerged as more than just a quick side hustle. For many in Bengaluru, it became a reliable fallback, a way to stay afloat in tough times. Riders said they travelled over 100km of traffic-clogged roads and earned up to Rs 3,000 a day, a sum that covered a significant chunk of their monthly expenses. For others, especially those with weekday jobs, it became the perfect weekend gig. TOI spoke to several riders who described how the job offered more than financial support — it gave them a purpose and a human connection. "Riding helped me beat loneliness," said a college dropout trying to save up for higher education, adding: "Every ride was a chance to meet someone new, to feel useful and earn while doing something I enjoyed." Indra Shekar, a 25-year-old from Mahadevapura who rode on Rapido and Uber platforms, said he would save money for his business after he couldn't land a software job post his engineering course. "I've always wanted to start a business, but a regular monthly salary makes saving tough. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo That's when I turned to bike taxis — no pressure, no targets and full flexibility. This ban will hit many like me who use the mode to chase bigger dreams. I'm even considering shifting to Hyderabad to continue riding — I'm not giving this up," Shekar added. Another bike-taxi driver, Jagadeesh, a 24-year-old non-IT professional, said the bike-taxi gig has been a financial lifeline amid rising costs. "I earned around Rs 3,000 a day and managed to save at least Rs 2,000. These days, a full-time job alone isn't enough — especially if you want to set aside some money or make a big purchase in a city as expensive as Bengaluru," he said. Sagar, who works from 6pm till midnight, said the sudden halt in bike-taxi services has upended his routine and livelihood. "It's very disappointing. It had been a lifesaver, offering me the freedom to work on my own terms," he said, adding: "Now, I've lost my only source of income and am looking for a job." A 27-year-old techie chose to ride a bike taxi to overcome loneliness: "I stay in Whitefield, and after office hours, I take rides on my way home. It's a way to have some company during the long and often boring traffic jams. It also helps me build new relationships." We need framework: Namma Bike Taxi Association Namma Bike Taxi Association submitted a memorandum to CM Siddaramaiah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging their intervention to support over 1 lakh gig workers affected by the ban. They demanded a policy framework to regularize bike-taxi services. "The drivers demand clear rules on licensing, insurance and safety rather than being criminalized overnight. "We are part of the same informal economy that Karnataka claims to support. Why are we being shut out without a conversation?" questioned Mohammed Salim, president of Namma Bike Taxi Association.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bike taxi ban in Bengaluru: Thousands of riders struggle to find their footing
Bengaluru: The ban on bike taxis has left thousands of riders in the lurch, stripping them of a livelihood that many had come to rely on. From college students riding to pay their fees to tech professionals laid off during the slowdown, bike taxis had emerged as more than just a quick side hustle. For many in Bengaluru, it became a reliable fallback, a way to stay afloat in tough times. Riders said they travelled over 100km of traffic-clogged roads and earned up to Rs 3,000 a day, a sum that covered a significant chunk of their monthly expenses. For others, especially those with weekday jobs, it became the perfect weekend gig. TOI spoke to several riders who described how the job offered more than financial support — it gave them a purpose and a human connection. "Riding helped me beat loneliness," said a college dropout trying to save up for higher education, adding: "Every ride was a chance to meet someone new, to feel useful and earn while doing something I enjoyed." Indra Shekar, a 25-year-old from Mahadevapura who rode on Rapido and Uber platforms, said he would save money for his business after he couldn't land a software job post his engineering course. "I've always wanted to start a business, but a regular monthly salary makes saving tough. That's when I turned to bike taxis — no pressure, no targets and full flexibility. This ban will hit many like me who use the mode to chase bigger dreams. I'm even considering shifting to Hyderabad to continue riding — I'm not giving this up," Shekar added. Another bike-taxi driver, Jagadeesh, a 24-year-old non-IT professional, said the bike-taxi gig has been a financial lifeline amid rising costs. "I earned around Rs 3,000 a day and managed to save at least Rs 2,000. These days, a full-time job alone isn't enough — especially if you want to set aside some money or make a big purchase in a city as expensive as Bengaluru," he said. Sagar, who works from 6pm till midnight, said the sudden halt in bike-taxi services has upended his routine and livelihood. "It's very disappointing. It had been a lifesaver, offering me the freedom to work on my own terms," he said, adding: "Now, I've lost my only source of income and am looking for a job." A 27-year-old techie chose to ride a bike taxi to overcome loneliness: "I stay in Whitefield, and after office hours, I take rides on my way home. It's a way to have some company during the long and often boring traffic jams. It also helps me build new relationships." We need framework: Assn Namma Bike Taxi Association submitted a memorandum to CM Siddaramaiah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging their intervention to support over 1 lakh gig workers affected by the ban. They demanded a policy framework to regularize bike-taxi services. "The drivers demand clear rules on licensing, insurance and safety rather than being criminalized overnight. "We are part of the same informal economy that Karnataka claims to support. Why are we being shut out without a conversation?" questioned Mohammed Salim, president of Namma Bike Taxi Association.
NDTV
30-05-2025
- NDTV
In Bengaluru, Man Bites Another Man's Finger For Splashing Rainwater
Bengaluru: In Bengaluru, a man bit another man's ring finger after the latter's car mistakenly splashed rainwater on his vehicle. The man, identified as Jayant Shekar, had to undergo surgery costing him nearly Rs 2 lakh. Mr Shekhar's wife has registered a First Information Report (FIR), accusing the fellow driver of threatening to murder. No arrest was made till the time of filing this report. On Sunday night, Mr Shekar, a resident of Magadi Road, was driving home with his wife, Parvathi, and mother-in-law after dinner. At around 9 pm, Mr Shekar was near the Lulu Mall underpass, waiting to cross the signal and take a turn. While crossing, he unknowingly splashed rainwater on another vehicle. For this innocuous mistake, Mr Shekar was allegedly assaulted and threatened. "After crossing the signal, I noticed an i20 car driving adjacent to my car. A woman, seated on the passenger seat, started shouting at me. The man in the driver's seat repeatedly asked me to stop the car," recalled Mr Shekar while speaking to NDTV. "The woman had her car's window rolled down. Since it was drizzling, I requested her to roll up the window, but the couple kept verbally abusing me. Within minutes, the man intercepted my car," he added. The verbal altercation soon turned physical. The man took Mr Shekar's right hand into his mouth and bit the ring finger, leading to a deep cut, requiring surgery and stitches. "It had been raining; the roads were slightly waterlogged. At the time of the incident, it was drizzling. I didn't realise when the water splashed onto another vehicle," said Mr Shekar. Police are investigating and believe both parties may have been involved physically, but no counter-complaint has been filed by the accused.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Driver bites man's finger over rainwater splash near Lulu Mall in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: A 65-year-old man had to undergo surgery to fix his right hand ring finger after it was bitten by a driver of a car near Lulu Mall. Reason for the bite: The victim, while returning home in his car with his wife and mother-in-law after having dinner at a hotel, reportedly splashed stagnant rain water on the car of the accused. Frustrated over this, the driver of the car chased the victim's car and stopped it near the Lulu Mall. The man pulled the victim out of the car and bit his finger despite the latter seeking apologies. A woman who was with the accused also got out of the car and abused the victim. The victim's wife has filed the complaint against the driver of the car and the woman. The police who have the registration number of the accused's car have yet to make any arrests. The victim Jagannath Shekar, is a resident of an upscale apartment on Magadi Road. The incident happened on Sunday between 8.45 pm and 9.15 pm. Shekar has reportedly spent Rs 1.8 lakh for the surgery. Shekar's wife Parvathi has filed a police complaint. The accused stopped Shekar's car claiming that he splashed rain water on the car near the Majestic Railway underpass towards Magadi Road. The accused also punched the victim's face and tore his shirt. The accused, along with another woman, were in a Kia car registered in Rajajinagar RTO, said an officer. Shekar underwent surgery at a private hospital in Sheshadripuram and doctors have put five stitches.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shekar Natarajan's Orchestro.AI : A Promise Made to a Son - Now a Promise to the World
NEW YORK CITY, NY / / May 20, 2025 / Far before Shekar Natarajan became a logistics genius in America, before AI systems, Fortune 500 positions, and multi-million-dollar funding, he resided in a one-room house buried deep in the narrow streets of a South Indian town. There, existence was a capsule but inclusive: one place where everything occurred. Meals were prepared, tales were told, and silences were kept. The room was limited, but so was the feeling of responsibility. His first leadership lessons, however, were not learned in boardrooms or books, but from his father, a man who rode his bicycle more than fifteen miles a day to make a meager living, most of which he distributed. To neighbors, family members, and people in need on the street. "He was never wealthy in any traditional way," Shekar once explained, "but he gave like a man who thought the world would return the gift." It didn't always. But the intention wasn't reciprocity. It was the purpose. That principle- of accomplishing things with quiet purpose pursued Shekar around the globe. When he arrived in the US, it wasn't with a mastermind and a fat bank account. He came with less than $50 and a knapsack. Georgia Tech was the destination, but school was a barrier he couldn't overcome on his own. So he did what he'd done his entire life: showed up. Sat outside a professor's door without an appointment, hoping faith would accomplish what funds couldn't. It did. Afterward, it was all a blur. He worked five jobs, taking classes, coding during the day, cleaning at night, and driving whatever he needed to get from one spot to another in between. He once slept in his car for two weeks, not out of desperation but determination. It came just after the most heartbreaking decision of his life: taking his father off life support after multiple strokes left him in a vegetative state. He calls it the hardest choice a son could ever make - one no one should ever face. Paying rent could wait; finding purpose could not. Breakthroughs arrived, one by one, and then in a burst. A multimedia resume got him an interview at Coca-Cola. There, he led delivery transformation at scale. At PepsiCo, he redesigned supply chains to handle a quicker, more complicated world. And at Walmart, he promoted crowdsourced delivery years before it became industry dogma. Along the way, awards piled up. Titles lengthened. Rooms expanded. But something was amiss. "I realized I was beginning to pursue validation rather than vision," Shekar explained. It wasn't a failure. It was a drift. In 2020, cradling his newborn son, the course realigned itself. The din ceased, and the promise reemerged. was conceived not as a startup concept but as a response to a question he'd been carrying around for years: What if logistics could be more human? The internet lets a dorm-room coder build a trillion-dollar empire, but a farmer down the road must pay $200,000 just to list with a retailer. He knew something was broken. And he was going to fix it. Smarter, certainly. Scalable, definitely. But open, sustainable, and collaborative at its core as well. Orchestro is constructing exactly that-an AI-powered supply chain system based on empathy. Within six months, the firm achieved volumes that incumbents used to take years to reach. It has attracted early adopters such as Google, Flextronics, and Celesta Capital leaders, raising $10 million in the process. But for Shekar, numbers have never been the issue. In many ways, he is still the boy from the single room. Still driven by the model of a father who gave more than he retained. Still informed by that early wisdom: that survival isn't boisterous, and effect doesn't always declare itself. His tale isn't a rags-to-riches narrative. It's one of rhythm. Tenacity. Arriving-when you lack credentials, contacts, even a place to lay your head. Building incrementally, painstakingly, until purpose turns into framework. The path isn't complete. Not by a long way. A promise is still in play, and Shekar Natarajan intends to honor it. Learn more about For media inquiries, please contact:Shekar Natarajanshekar@ SOURCE: View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
