Auto driver, bus marshal, Metro pilot among 50 Delhi ki nirmata' who shared dias with CM

New Delhi: As Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal took oath as Delhi’s chief minister for the third time in a row, 50 special-school teachers, doctors, exam toppers, auto drivers, caretakers, and sanitation workers — dubbed as “Delhi ke nirmata” (makers of Delhi) — were seen sharing stage with him.

“Who runs Delhi? It’s not Kejriwal who runs Delhi. It’s not any political leader who runs Delhi. It’s not a political party. Delhi is run by its teachers, doctors, auto drivers, bus drivers, and the factory owners who give people employment,” Mr Kejriwal told a large gathering at Delhi’s iconic Ramlila Maidan.

The AAP had tweeted about these special invitees — international tennis player Sumit Nagal, auto driver Laxman Chaudhry, government school teacher Manu Gulati — among others ahead of the swearing-in.

“Meet Dalbir Singh, he was a teacher. Now he is retired and has become a farmer to feed the national capital,” Mr Kejriwal said, introducing one of the guests.

He also mentioned a bus marshal, Arun Kumar, who had rescued a six-year-old kidnapped by some men, and Nidhi Gupta, a Metro driver. Arun Kumar said that the experience has changed his life.

“It is an honour for me to represent bus marshals. We work hard every day to provide security to women. The AAP government is very serious about women’s safety and we are making the dream of Arvind Kejriwal true,” he said.

Shabina Naaz, who has been working with night shelters around Chandni Chowk and Kashmiri Gate for the past five years, said she can’t believe it really happened.