A 25-year-old in Coimbatore, Karuppusamy, has become a bit of a curious sight in his hometown. The young man, who completed his post-graduation in Tamil literature with the help of a government-sponsored scholarship, is now driving an auto rickshaw. He often offers free rides to pregnant women and school children in the city.

Karuppusamy bought a second-hand auto rickshaw with the help of his friends, he said, to fund his dream of becoming a scholar in Tamil. His savings will be used for an M Phil programme and to purchase books. Until then, at least, he will continue to lend a helping hand to children and soon-to-be mothers of children.