"One and a Half Saar!" – The Daily Auto Comedy

  •   Fri, Dec 12 2025
  •   By Fr Ajay Nelson D'Silva SJ

December 12, 2025

In modern-day India, taking an auto rickshaw has turned into a common affair. People generally consider the auto fare as inexpensive and practical, and in fact, for a lot of short distances, it is really the best choice. The majority of auto drivers are polite, affable, and have a lot of engaging stories to tell—on certain occasions, the ride is just the side show! In almost every Indian city, three things that never change: traffic, chai, and auto drivers shouting “one and a half saar!”

Scene 1: The Grand Encounter
You signal the auto.
The driver scrutinizes you minutely and questions:
Driver: “Elli hogbeku saar?”
(Where do you want to go, sir?)
You simply and innocently state your destination.
He then very dramatically rolls his eyes up, looks at the sky, looks at you, looks at his mood, and after a wait of 10 seconds he says:
Driver: “One and a half agutte saar!”
(One and a half, sir!)
There is no bargaining here.
It is a proclamation.

Scene 2: The Auto Mathematics
Meter indicates: Rs 60
Generally, one-and-half: Rs 90
However, the auto driver has come up with his own theory:
You: “Meter 60 alva?”
(Meter indicates 60, right?)
Driver: “Haudu saar… aadre one and a half andre… 120 agutte!”
(Yes sir… but one and a half means… 120!)
At this stage, Pythagoras gives up.

Scene 3: You Try Arguing
You: “Yaake one and a half?”
(Why one and a half?)
Driver: “Traffic saar.”
(Traffic, sir.)
You: “Road khaali ide alva!”
(The road is empty!)
Driver: “Auto khaali ide saar.”
(The auto is empty, sir.)
You: “Adakke extra yaake kodbeku?”
(Why should I pay extra?)
Driver: “Saar… one and a half andre feeling.”
(Sir… one and a half is a feeling.)
You lose.
Your pride is hurt but your desperation to get there is even stronger.

Scene 4: The Ride
The auto turns into:
A rollercoaster for potholes
A mobile temple with 18 gods
A DJ booth playing 90s hits
A sauna if it's hot
You have done an unplanned workout by the time you arrive.

Scene 5: The Farewell
Meter: Rs 73
Fare (from Auto University): Rs 110
You hand over the money.
Driver: “Sariyagide saar.”
(Perfect, sir.)
He gives a nod as if you have invested in his startup.
He walks away…
And before he is even 20 feet away, he is already slowing down for the next passenger and is saying:
“One and a half agutte saar!”

 

 

 

Please note: This is just for entertainment purposes only.

 

 

 

 
By Fr Ajay Nelson D'Silva SJ
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