M’luru’s ‘Sarathi No. 1’ Lobo, 86, passes away

Mangaluru: Monthu Lobo, the city’s longest-serving autorickshaw driver, died after a brief illness on Saturday. He was 86.
Lobo, who began his career as an autorickshaw driver in the city with his Piaggio in 1956, was later driving a Lambretta, and a Bajaj autorickshaw till recently. Lobo considered driving the autorickshaw as a service to society. In his 66 years of service as an autorickshaw driver, he helped thousands of people in times of distress, especially to ferry the ill to hospital. He ferried patients, pregnant women and the elderly free of cost, during lockdowns due to Covid-19. Considering his meritorious service as an autorickshaw driver in the coastal city, Lobo was honoured with several awards by various organisations. He was conferred with the ‘Sarathi No 1’ award by the Indian Vehicle Drivers’ Trade Union, to mark World Working Drivers Day at Bengaluru in 2012.
Lobo had helped many poor people avail land for the construction of houses, from the government. He was also active in struggle for social causes, including the supply of drinking water. He helped many poor children to buy books.
Lobo is survived by his wife Eliza Lobo, son Anil Gerald Lobo, and daughters Anitha Lobo and Amitha Lobo. Anil Lobo said that his father was driving the autorickshaw till recently. He was not keeping well for the past four days, he said.
Leaders of various political parties and organisations condoled his death. Former MLC Ivan D’Souza said that Lobo drove the autorickshaw in the city for 66 years, without causing a single accident. “He considered driving an auto rickshaw to be a social service, rather than a way to earn a livelihood,” D’Souza said.