One of the most hated aspects of Bangalore, apart from its famed potholes, are its autorickshaw drivers. Accused of being greedy and heartless, they are loathed by one and all. But there are exceptions to the rule as well; not all drivers are rapacious and everyone can’t be tarred with the same brush.
On Saturday morning, Danish Hussain, national channel manager, Advanced Micronic Devices Ltd, BTM Layout, boarded an autorickshaw at Jayanagar 9th block to commute to Satellite Bus Stand, situated on Mysore Road.
When the auto reached the South-End Circle, Hussain saw a man beating up a child mercilessly.
“I could not stand it. I got down from the autorickshaw, approached the person and chided him.
But then I noticed that the driver had already left the spot. I found it difficult to contact my friends since my phone and cash were in the laptop bag in the autorickshaw,’’ said Hussain.
Hussain said he approached police who advised him to go to Jayanagar police station and lodge a complaint. “Police were kind and helpful. They immediately flashed the message over the wireless and assured me all help,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, auto driver, discovered to his shock that his passenger had got off the vehicle without his knowledge. He also noticed the laptop bag lying in the vehicle.
“I realised about Hussain’s absence when he did not reply to my query. I waited at the Satellite Bus Stand for more than one hour expecting Hussain to turn up, but he didn’t. Later, I decided to go back to the place where Hussain boarded my auto,’’ said the driver.
Ramesh traced Hussain’s residence with the help of other auto drivers who knew Hussain. “They took me to Hussain’s house. My joy knew no bounds when I handed over the bag containing laptop, iPad and cash in the presence of Jayanagar police inspector,’’ said the driver.
Ramesh, who has a diploma in civil engineering, led a good life — he had a house and a residential site at Banashankari III stage — but fell on hard times after his associates swindled him of his wealth. Now, he commutes everyday from Tumkur to Bangalore, where he drives an auto to earn his livelihood.
“I leave my auto at the house of friend in Bangalore and board the train at 9.30pm for Tumkur,” said Ramesh whose two daughters are studying.
Appreciating Ramesh’s sincerity, Hussain told dna, “I gave him Rs1,000 as a reward and offered breakfast, but he agreed to have a cup of tea and declined the breakfast. May his tribe increase,” said Hussain.
