Encounter with a Rickshaw driver in Mumbai‏

Suvendu Roy of Titan Industries shares his inspirational encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai:

Last 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 realise 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 realised 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  TV  dekh kar kya  faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega.”

We realised 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