May I help you please?

Welcome! May I help you please? Not words you’d expect to hear from an auto-rickshaw driver. Yet, that’s what will greet visitors to Commonwealth Games 2010, reports Neelam Pandey.

Welcome! May I help you please?

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Not words you’d expect to hear from an auto-rickshaw driver. Yet, that’s what will greet visitors to Commonwealth Games 2010.

Trying to shun the image of Delhi as a ‘rude city’, the tourism ministry has started training auto-rickshaw drivers in the city.

The pilot batch, with 40 drivers, started their three-day training on Wednesday. Drivers will be given basic lessons in courtesy and articulation.

The course, designed by Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), will cover topics from psychometric tests, yoga, life skills, spoken English, police interface, first-aid, traffic rules and regulations, road safety and disaster management.

“A visitor will interact with service providers such as taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers. It is essential they know how to deal with the guests. Our training will help them interact better,” said Rajni Sibal, HIPA director.

While the drivers have voluntarily come forward to take part in the training, the tourism ministry is paying them compensation of Rs 200 a day.