Mexico’s ambassador in India has been making news for her unusual choice of official vehicle. Instead of super luxury cars, Melba Pria travels around Delhi in a white auto-rickshaw, which bears her country’s flag and a diplomatic number plate.
Pria has said that she chose the auto-rickshaw because it is the most efficient means of transport and also less polluting.
The compact three-wheeler runs on CNG, like thousands of other autos running across Delhi.
It was bought in India, and then remodelled and spray-painted in a floral design by visiting Mexican street artist Senkoe.
Is it a creative way to promote Mexico and its artistry? A few asked Some people get worried about security, but millions of Indians use auto-rickshaws everyday so why should I be any different? Pria said in a statement. I think Delhiites have had positive reactions to this rickshaw, as it pays homage to the Indian cultural tradition.”
The vehicle was then given a diplomatic number plate, and got an official chauffeur, an embassy employee named Rajendra Kumar. Pria has been using vehicle to attend meetings and function since the last one month.
During her time in India, Pria has spoken about the need to tackle air pollution in the world’s most polluted city, drawing upon her experiences from Mexico City, which tackled the same problem through vehicle restrictions. She also cycles over 50 km a day, in and around the city.
