The Changing Face of Coolies in India: Adapting to Modernity While Upholding Tradition
Positioned on the platform, right after the speakers announced the arrival of 12192, this coolie nearly in his early thirties caught my eye. His youthful demeanour suggested that he must be fresh to this profession, and his bright red shirt and copper armband added to that impression. This had me wondering why would he become a bearer of a load of so many?
In India, the system of badge transfer is mostly practised for the recruitment of coolies. As per railways, coolies who are incapable to work can give their batches to their relatives (son, brother, nephew or brother-in-law). One in the picture felt like a product of the badge transfer.
The term “Sahayaks” has recently replaced the derogatory term “Coolie,” which is commonly considered a vestige of British colonial rule in India.
The infrastructural ease these days have decreased the need for their services, and we see fewer of them. Although I believe it to be colonial exploitation to have others carry one’s luggage, these porters’ livelihood depends on it.
And for most of us, their presence continues to enrich our Rail journeys — from asking a coolie the location of coaches, confirming with them the platform number and arrival time of late trains, to haggling with them for the luggage. They need to stay.
