Too Good to Believe - but True!

[brihacharan]

Hi Guys,
> I came across this true story, that left me speechless for a while ... want to share it with you all.

Exact Narration by an auto-rickshaw passenger from Mumbai.

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...

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 moulding 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.
Cheers
Briha

[tirpassion]

Thanks Brihaji for sharing your esteem for this gentleman with us. I am awestruck too. I salute this real HERO!
God bless him!

[dr.jayakumar]

well,we all should do atleast 50/ of this as a good citizen i feel.
touching.

[hellfire_m16]

My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO! A hero who deserves all our respect!!!

Briha

Wonderful Share Briha.

Best.
VM

[fantumfan2003]

Fantastic Share ......

Hope to meet this gent someday.........

M.

[gladiatorgarg]

he is really a hero in its true sense..

[airgun_novice]

A humble salute to this unsung hero!

[Raptor]

Hi Guys,
> I came across this true story, that left me speechless for a while ... want to share it with you all.

Exact Narration by an auto-rickshaw passenger from Mumbai.

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...

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 moulding 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.
Cheers
Briha

sir, can't we do something for this man all us IFGians together...us posting our salutes are commendable but can't we contribute in anyway? A surprise gift, a computer for his kids? I dunno...something...anythiing? My new hero Sandeep Bachche!

[inplainsight]

There was a great article about him some time ago in the papers

http://www.moneylife.in/article/an-auto ... 20360.html

Sounds like a great human being.

[Vassili Zaitsev]

Unbelievable but I remember to see couple of autos in Bangalore where they were presented certificate by former Police H.T Sangliana.
They were brave and honest enough to return a bag full of cash, laptops and some other valuable products to owners and another one fought a gang of bikes to save a girl's modesty.

These kinds of people are rare but definitely you will feel good when you see such patrons around.

Thank you Brihaji for sharing such incident

Jai hind.