| Recently I received a letter from a friend. The letter | | | | rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job |
| had a profound effect on me and I must thank my | | | | when his employer's plastic company was shut down. |
| friend for sharing an inspirational encounter with a | | | | He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 |
| rickshaw driver in Mumbai. I think it will be a good idea if | | | | in the morning till 10 at night. No break unless he was |
| a lot many people can read about it. | | | | unwell. The riksha driver mentioned that it was better |
| He tells me that one Sunday, he and his wife and kid, | | | | to earn 2 rupees working than to sit at home and |
| had to travel to Andheri from Bandra. When he | | | | watch TV" |
| waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did he expect | | | | My friend soon realized that he had come across a |
| that this ride would be any different? However he | | | | man who represents Mumbai - the spirit of work, the |
| was in for a shock as he looked inside and in front | | | | spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life. He asked |
| found there was a small TV. The driver had put on the | | | | him whether he does anything else as he figured that |
| Doordarshan channel. His wife and he looked at each | | | | the driver may not have too much spare time. |
| other with disbelief and amusement. In front of them | | | | He was surprised when the driver mentioned that he |
| was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some | | | | goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once |
| medicines. In addition his eyes fell on a few magazines | | | | a week or whenever he has some extra income, |
| (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's | | | | where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, |
| back rest. This was enough for him to realize that he | | | | hair oil, and other items of daily use. |
| was travelling in a special vehicle. | | | | He pointed out to a painted message below the meter |
| Then he looked round again, and discovered more - | | | | that read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for |
| there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, | | | | the handicapped, Free rides for blind passengers up to |
| and pictures and symbols of all faiths- From Islam and | | | | Rs. 50. My friend and his wife were struck with awe. |
| Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. There | | | | The man was a HERO! |
| were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- the police | | | | A hero who deserves all our respect!!! For my part I |
| men Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan who | | | | hope, one day, I too have a chance to meet Mr. |
| had been shot by the terrorists. He realized that not | | | | Sanded Bachhe in his auto rickshaw: MH-02-Z-8508. |
| only the vehicle, but also the driver was special. | | | | That was the number noted down by my friend. Life is |
| He started chatting with the driver him and the initial | | | | wonderful and great made memorable by such people |
| sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished. He | | | | as this auto rickshaw driver. |
| gathered that the driver had been driving an auto | | | | |