USER'S CORNER -
Good Man In Mumbai, India From Kedar Padte
Exact Narration by an auto-rickshaw
passenger, Suvendu Roy of Titan Industries, who shares his
inspirational encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai:
One Sunday, my wife, kid, and I had to
travel to Andheri from Bandra. When I waved at a passing
auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be
any different...? 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.
