Honest autorickshaw driver returns laptop, gets Rs.20,000 reward

By Nabeel A. Khan
New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) A Delhi businesswoman Thursday gave a reward of Rs.20,000 to an honest auto rickshaw driver who returned her the laptop she had left behind in his vehicle.

"I returned the laptop to the passenger, and I am happy that I have done the duty of a good citizen," Rakesh Kumar, the autorickshaw driver, told IANS. The passenger, Pooja Chandra, was overwhelmed by his honesty.

She said: "I never expected to meet such an honest auto rickshaw driver. I was very worried as the laptop bag also contained a bank passbook, which apparently helped the driver to locate my house." She added, "though people often malign autorickshaw drivers, all of them are not dishonest.

This was proven after Rakesh Kumar returned my laptop." The incident took place Wednesday night when Pooja Chandra was in search of an autorickshaw near Savitri cinema in south Delhi. She flagged Rakesh Kumar's vehicle and sat in it. When Chandra said she wanted to go to Khanpur, Kumar expressed his inability to take her as it was a distance away and it was time to return home to his family.

However, Kumar took care to put her in another autorickshaw. But in the process, Chandra forgot her laptop in Kumar's auto. After reaching home, Chandra realised her laptop was in Kumar's vehicle and spent a sleepless night. In the morning, her husband Kishor Chandra contacted Rakesh Agarwal, secretary of NyayaBhoomi, an NGO that works with autorickshaw drivers.

Agarwal discussed ways of locating the autorickshaw. He suggested posting a notice on the backs of autorickshaws. However, before they could take any such step, to his surprise Kishor Chandra received a visitor at 1.30 p.m. Thursday. It was Rakesh Kumar, the auto driver, along with the laptop. He explained that the bank passbook in the laptop bag had helped him reach their home.

Incidentally, Rakesh Kumar is also a member of NyayaBhoomi, an organization that works for the welfare of autorickshaw drivers and passengers. "Rakesh Kumar's deed should be a source of inspiration for the citizens of Delhi in general, and for all auto drivers of Delhi in particular. Such acts fill our heart with warmth," said Rakesh Agarwal.

"The laptop contained invaluable data which was critical for running our business. Even the backup pen drive was in the same bag in which the laptop was kept.

Thanks to Rakesh Kumar, auto drivers will always occupy a special place in our hearts now," said Chandra. She gave an award of Rs.20,000 to Rakesh Kumar. Initially, Kumar politely declined to accept it but on her insistence he accepted the money. Rakesh Agarwal said he would recommend the name of Rakesh Kumar for a suitable honour and prize to the Delhi administration.

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