great storie.
At 02:12 PM 8/7/2009, you wrote:
Hi friends
I received this mail from one of my friends. I thought of posting
this to the list as there is something, in fact a lot for our
governments to learn when it comes to giving concessions to disabled.
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.
--
G. Vamshi
PH Res : +91 877-2243861
Mobile: +91 9949349497
E-mail ID:
[email protected]
Skype: gvamshi81
God helps those who help themselves
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with warm regards
Mahendra Galani
window's live ID [email protected] skype ID chintu3886
phone +4314943149 mobile +4369910366055,
address Herbst strasse 101.16.1 Vienna Austria Europe
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