Very inspiring encounter with an auto rickshaw driver in Mumbai
Sandeep Kanchan
Thanks to Kirankumar Khamkar , kirankuma...@hed.ltindia.com, Powai, for sharing this very inspiring encounter with an auto rickshaw driver in Mumbai .
Exact Narration by Mr.Suvendu Roy- (Titan Industries) .....
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As we set off, my eyes fell on a few
magazines
(kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back
rest.
I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the
Doordarshan channel.
My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In
front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some
medicines.
This was enough for me to realize that I was in a special vehicle.
Then
I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire
extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all
faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There
were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare
and Unnikrishnan.
I realized that not only my vehicle, but also my
driver was special.
I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and
disbelief gradually diminished.
I gathered that he had been driving an
auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his
employer's plastic company was shut down.
He had two school-going
children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night.
No break
unless he was unwell. "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke T.V
dekh kar kya
faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega."
We realized that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai - the
spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in
life.
I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not
have too much spare time.
He said that he goes to an old age home for
women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where
he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items
of daily use.
He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that
read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped.
Free
rides for blind passengers up to Rs. 50.
My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO!
A hero who
deserves all our respect!!!
Our journey came to an end;
45 minutes of a
lesson in humility, selflessness, and of a hero-worshipping Mumbai, my
temporary home.
We disembarked, and all I could do was
to pay him a tip
that would hardly cover a
free ride for a blind man.
I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr. Sandeep Bachhe in his
auto rickshaw: MH-02-Z-8508.
Be a Reason for Million Smiles..But Never be a reason for even a single Grudge...