[Reader-list] MH-02-Z-8508 - THE RIKSHAW STORY

[Chintan]

Thanks, Mr. Kaul, for sharing this amazing story. Do keep them coming.
Regards
Chintan

On Thu, Jun 18, 2009 at 4:01 PM, Kshmendra Kaul <kshmendra2005 at yahoo.com>wrote:

> "THE RIKSHAW STORY"
>
> (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 around
> 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." (Sir, what's the use of simply sitting at home and watching
> TV? If I earn some income, then it will be useful in the future.)
>
>
> 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 Rs50″. He also said that his auto was mentioned on Radio
> Mirchi twice by the station RJs. The Marathi press in Mumbai know about him
> and have written a few pieces on him and his vehicle.
>
>
> My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO! A hero who deserves
> all our respect. I know that my son, once he grows up, will realise that we
> have met a genuine hero. He has put questions to me such as why should we
> help other people? I will try to keep this incident alive in his memory.
>
>
> 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.
>
> (Its amazing there are ppl still alive like him in this world!
> I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep Bachhe in his
> auto rickshaw - MH-02-Z-8508)
>
>  http://avinashjoshi.co.in/2009/04/13/the-rikshaw-story/
>
>
>
>
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