On Demand Economy - Opportunities to the Aspiring

I have been a regular user of Ola Cabs and their ilk ever since I have relocated to Mumbai. I make it a point to speak with the drivers as we drive along getting to understand why they have signed up with Ola or what’s it to be an independent agent. Till a few weeks ago the cab drivers that came along were invariably professional drivers – cab drivers or drivers with other people who moved along to Ola because it represented better income and in some cases more independence than being a driver with someone. (stated a family driver who resented having to run errands for the malikin. “I was their driver not their errand boy. They asked me to collect laundry, buy vegetables etc.”).

In the recent weeks though I have encountered a completely different phenomenon. First time drivers now taking to driving cabs. They had been driving their new Ola cabs for less than a week or two days in one case when i ran into them.. These are people in other professions who knew driving who have taken up driving cabs for various reasons. In the last week I have met

-          Nishesh*, 55+ year old salesman who was let go by the new generation of owners in the shop where he was employed. He had been a salesman all his life and he also doubled up on occasion as a driver for his employer. Since he was let go by the new generation of sons that had taken over the business he decided to become a Ola cab driver. He enjoys the income (bit higher than before), the independence and the fact that he is still able to provide for his family and be productive instead of sulking in a corner about having been let go or having been treated unfairly in some manner. He continued to take responsibility for his own life.

-          Ajam Khan*, a 24 year old man at the threshold of beginning his life. He took to driving leaving behind his old job as a salesman in a clothing shop. He expected his income to double to  25 k a month after expenses. His father helped him by being a guarantor to the bank for the loan his son had availed to buy a new car. He took to driving as he felt he needed to make a little more to take care of his family as he was recently engaged to be married and his old salary and prospects fell short of what Ola is able to offer.

This was really exciting to see. Development creating new opportunities for people. For users these services have been about freedom from not always having to drive yourself, not having to own a car or indeed not having to depend on the stinky black and yellows (which are furiously upgrading these days). For the drivers it is about new opportunities to better their lives and do better by their loved ones. This is the desi version of the On Demand Economy something that will play out here in a very different manner than the way it is playing out in the West. In a country in which a majority of the population does not have the experience of being employed in a stable manner with a large corporation, progressing with it and retiring with it, this is a new route to prosperity. This is happening at the same time when large and more structured opportunities are coming up in the economy. Both modes will  provide opportunities for people to get ahead in their lives and perhaps interact in interesting ways as we move forward.

* Names changed. Just because I felt that was the right thing to do !