India, April 30 -- In the afternoon heat of late April, Hadees, a rickshaw puller, is waiting for his next customer. Seated at the backof the rickshaw, parked under the shade of a peepal tree, 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 do you appreciate the most in your friends?

When needed, they quietly lend me money. and quietly take it back when I return the amount.

Your main fault.

Being unable to rise in life is my big fault. I started as a rickshaw walla 23 years ago, and I'm still a rickshaw walla. Not enough money to buy the more convenient battery rickshaw, costing 1.5 lakh rupees.

Your favou...