Why a Mumbai Auto Driver Not Only Let Go of His Fare but Also Offered Money to His Passenger

Rameez Shaikh, a resident of Mumbai, recently shared a post on Facebook about a benevolent auto-driver he encountered, and it is a delightful read.

On Friday, Rameez left his office to go to a mosque to attend the afternoon congregational prayer. But after sitting in an auto he realised that he had left behind his wallet. He quickly explained the situation to Shukla ji, the auto driver, and requested him to wait at the mosque for 15-20 minutes and then drop him back at the office where he would pay him more than the actual fare. Since the kind-hearted driver could not wait till the prayers were finished, he simply offered Rameez a free ride. And not just that; he even tried to offer some money for Rameez’s return ride.

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In the post that later went viral, Rameez added – “I feel we should all come out and share the positivity we experience on social media. There’s too much hatred out here. The reason for hatred is not that only negativity prevails… but that easily only negativity sells… So unless “We” the people buy positivity it is not gonna sell.”

Read the heartening post here:

If you are unable to view the story, here’s what he wrote:

26/Aug/2016, 1:40pm: I hurriedly went down from office to catch an auto-rickshaw to reach Masjid for the Friday congregational prayer (“Namaaz-e-Jumma’h”). As soon as I sat in the auto I realised that I had forgotten my wallet in my office in the rush. I requested the auto guy to drop me at the Masjid and wait till I pray (for 15-20 minutes) and drop me back; and that I will pay him more than the fare.

The auto guy (who was pasting a “Ganpati Utsav” sticker on his windshield as I entered in his auto) told me: “Aap bhagwan ke kaam ke liye jaa rahe ho, aap tension matt le… mai chhodd deta hu aap ko… lekin mai wait nahi kar paaugaa… mujhe aagey jaanaa hoga..”
I thanked him for that and sat in his auto (as otherwise I would have missed my prayers).

Now as he dropped me at the Masjid he did something which I never expected. He got cash out of his pocket and offered me so that I can get back to my work place after finishing the prayers. Since he could not wait for me, he wanted to ensure that I get back to my work place conveniently. He was very sincerely telling me not to feel embarrassed for that…

I could not thank him anymore…

Meet Shukla ji (the man in the picture inserted)… Could be a stereotype breaker for some… An “Autowala” “Ganpati bhakt” with “Large red tilak on forehead” going out of his way to make sure that a fellow human of another faith gets to pray his Deity with all the peace….

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