Nargish's story: bicycle-renting business
Nargish used a small loan to buy five bicycles to start a rental service. Today, he has 150 bicycles and is able to support his family with the profits.
"Cycle man" breaking the cycle of poverty
Even though Nargish Kuchaikar's neighborhood — the Tarawade slum — has about 1,000 homes, everyone knows where the "cycle man" lives. Nargish is one of the few people in the city of Pune, India, who rents out bicycles to the low-income group.
Small loan started Nargish's business
Nargish got his start working in a bicycle repair shop. "Then I got in touch with World Vision staff," he says. "They helped me with the seed money to start my cycle-hiring business." Loans helped Nargish buy five bicycles in 2004 — today he has 150.
Budget-friendly transportation for the poor
Normally, Nargish rents out bicycles for 10 rupees a day, which is equal to about 20 cents. But when many families live on less than a dollar or two a day, even 20 cents adds up.
Nargish gives back to his community
To help low-income families in his area, Nargish introduced a special rate: "I charge them 7 rupees per day, still cheaper than them taking a bus." Plus, when more people ride bikes instead of using other means of transportation, "it helps to cut the pollution," he adds.
Dreaming of a greener India
Nargish loves nature and speaks out against pollution every chance he gets. "Like other mega Indian cities, Pune is getting more polluted," he says. "Why do people use cars or motorcycles even for short distances? I hope these 150 cycles will contribute to help cut pollution," says a smiling Nargish.
Nargish talks with his daughter amid his many rental bikes. (His daughter is wearing traditional Indian kohl eye makeup.)
