{
  "id": 7114408,
  "title": "Honour for man who drove Tirur’s last bullock cart",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/honour-for-man-who-drove-tirurs-last-bullock-cart",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T14:05:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/honour-for-man-who-drove-tirurs-last-bullock-cart/article71463635.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For nearly four decades, Ahmed Bava Thekkepeediyekkal toiled through Tirur's narrow roads and village paths, driving bullock carts laden with rice, coconut oil, betel leaves, areca nuts, and copra. On Sunday, September 13, 2026, the 77-year-old Bava was honored as a living relic of a fading era, receiving recognition from Re-Echo, a cultural and environmental organization based in Tirunavaya. Part of its 36th anniversary celebrations, the felicitation occurred under the 'Nattinte naal vazhikal' program, which celebrates individuals who once played a role in traditions and events now lost to daily life. Bava, from Kunnumpuram in Edakkulam, began his cart-driving career at the age of seven, continuing until he was 42, devoting over 35 years to the profession. During that time, the bullock carts connected Tirur with its neighboring villages, transporting goods by boat along the Tirur River and by train to more remote areas. They traversed treacherous roads to deliver coconut oil, copra, betel leaves, and areca nuts to destinations like Annassery, Thalakkadathur, Athavanad, and Thuvvakkad. Bava recalled that Tirunavaya once housed more bullock carts than Tirur itself, and these carts hauled tiles from the Kodakkal tile factory to various locations, including the tile yard near the Tirunavaya Railway Station. Operating a bullock cart required a panchayat license, and a number plate, known as a thali, had to be affixed to the cart. A fine of 50 paise could be imposed for parking improperly, Bava remembered. The work was modestly compensated; a 50 kg load of rice fetched ₹2.50, while a tin of coconut oil earned ₹2. Bava acquired healthy bullocks from the cattle markets at Perumbilavu and Vaniyankulam, using them for cart work for no more than two years. Maintaining the animals and the cart proved a recurring expense. The advent of mini-lorries and goods autorickshaws eventually rendered bullock carts obsolete in local transportation. Motor Vehicle Inspector Surpil Mohammed Ashraf, along with Re-Echo president Poovathingal Rasheed and Mamankam Memorial Trust chairman C.P.M. Haris, honored Bava, who was presented with a memento by Haris. Ward member Velladath Raseena gifted Bava a book chronicling Tirunavaya's history, while Mamankam trustee Chirakkal Umer introduced him to the crowd.",
  "summary": "77-year-old Ahmed Bava Thekkepeediyekkal drove bullock carts for nearly four decades, carrying essential goods through narrow roads and village paths around Tirur",
  "key_points": [
    "Ahmed Bava drove Tirur's last bullock cart for 35 years.",
    "Recognized by Re-Echo on 13 September 2026.",
    "Celebrated as living relic of fading era."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}