A friend sent me this inspirational story by E Mail. I am sharing it with all of you with great pleasure.

NAIR

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 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 nd 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 ridiculeand 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 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.