A lift of shame?

Monir Hossain, 35, works as a senior executive in a firm. He used to travel to and from office in private cars. But they were not his, though! Like thousands of others, he relied upon the many unscrupulous private car chauffeurs who, behind their employers' back, give rides to complete strangers in exchange for money.

But what happened in one of those rides still terrify Monir. That illegal ride, he promises, is the last one of his life. 

He got out of office a little late that day, around 9 pm, which of course is not very late at night. A car came up and asked whether he wanted a lift. "I was going to my home in Mirpur, and the driver said he was going there as well. So I hopped in after agreeing to pay Tk100," Monir explained. "Initially it was me and the driver alone. Then, on two stops on the way, three other passengers got in. But they were not really passengers. They, including the driver, were hoodlums. Everything was normal, till the driver suddenly steered into a dark alley and pulled over." 

Daggers and rods came out. Monir was blindfolded and his hands and feet were tied. He was beaten severely, after which his wallet and mobile phone were snatched. That was not all. The thugs held him in ransom, and demanded Tk50000. After the payment was made, his family was asked to take him home from a particular ditch beside a road. 

Perhaps, thinking wishfully that such tales of horror won't happen in busy hours of the day or the evening, many people find this mode of transport rather convenient. "Buses are so crowded. You even have to stand in a queue or fight just to get inside. CNG taxis and taxi cabs are expensive. Private cars provide a lucrative alternative," confessed Ali Aktar, a university student, who often takes such rides.

Monir and Ali, along with many such passengers, have one thing in common: they are actually educated, literate people! It is alarming that even those who are educated take part in such a shameful and dangerous act. 

For those unethical drivers, who don't have an iota of morality -- let alone loyalty towards the employer -- it is a 'brilliant' opportunity to earn money when they are asked to go from Point A to Point B with an empty car. All they do is just take a few strangers with them! 

If a passenger is carrying something illegal and gets caught, then you, as the car owner, might get implicated. Besides, your car is like your living room. So, strangers taking rides in it is like strangers relaxing in your home! 

It's unbelievable that anyone with an iota of respect for himself would agree to take such rides, but so many do not even bother with the risks. Well, what can you say? They get in and throw out their self-respect, rationality and morality out the car window!

All names have been changed to protect privacy.