Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Oct 28: He was unable to attend the recent celebration of his hundredth birthday, but cab driver Robert Michael D'Souza, probably the only centenarian taxi driver in the state, made it a point to interact with the youth, the public and the media at Ravindra Kala Bhavan, University College here on Monday October 27.
The interactive session was interesting and informative. Michael had a word of sound advice to the youth too. While admitting that he enjoys a peg of whisky every night, he cautioned the youngsters against drunken driving.
"Youth should not drink and drive, or be a reason for someone's death," he said.
Asked how he had managed to maintain his fitness even at the ripe age of 100, he said his diet consists of a simple meal of rice and curds, with occasional non-veg and a peg of whisky every night. He joked that his 'machine' (body) had become too old for any stress or fancy diet.
Surprisingly, he said he was a heavy smoker until just 15 years ago, and had then given up the habit.
When asked about his memories of India's freedom struggle, he did not recall having seen any great leaders. He did remember seeing Sir M Visvesvaraya, the famous engineer whom had come to monitor the Kannambadi dam across the Kavery river when he was a coolie there.
That he is still young at heart was evident when he enthusiastically said that he was the first to drive a tractor from Bangalore to Mangalore. He said that during the course of his long career, he was able to drive all sorts of vehicles, from old, vintage cars to the modern ones. "It was nice to drive the olden day cars. They were sturdy. But we had tough time filling air in their tyres, especially as there was no air facility in petrol bunks as we have now. My hand used to get blistered while pumping the air using cycle pumps," he said.
Michael was felicitated by friends and well-wishers.
Principal of University College Satyanarayana also spoke on the occasion and wished Michael good health and prosperity.
Rationalist Narendra Nayak and others were present.