India, Feb. 16 -- Picking up a customer in Ghaziabad, cab driver Ajay Kumar introduces himself as someone who spent the past few years driving a city bus. He mostly drove bus route 85, which runs between Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh. He agrees to become a part of our Proust Questionnaire series, in which citizens are nudged to make "Parisian parlour confessions", all to explore our distinct experiences.

What is your present state of mind?

It is my first day at Uber, and I am carrying my first customer. I feel anxious about using the app on my mobile phone. For the first few rides, I may need help from the customer to chose the right buttons to press.

The principal aspect of your personality.

I am a gaon ka gawar-a simple villager. I b...