Ye Mumbai Hai Meri Jaan !

I received this piece in a mail today and I just can't stop myself from posting this one here :) People ! This is one more reason why I love Mumbai :) Mumbai ROCKS !! People of Mumbai ROCKS :) Life in Mumbai ROCKS :) I love Mumbai :) Here comes the piece I am talking about....

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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 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 realized 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 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 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 realize that we have met a genuine hero. He has put questions to me such as why should we help other people? 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.

I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr. Sandeep Bachhe in his auto rickshaw - MH-02-Z-8508.


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Ye Mumbai Hai Meri Jaan :)

No place in this world can be as good as Mumbai :) (Atleast for me :) )

Love ya Mumbai :)

Love your spirit :)

Love your courage :)

Love the fighter in you :)

Love the life in you :)

Love everything about you :)

Right from the crowded streets to calm and composed nights at band stand or marine lines :)

From the honest rickshawalas to helping public :) From the almost unattractive kid staying in the slum to the page 3 element staying at Nariman Point :)

From Linking Road, Fashion Street To Inorbit, Center One and Designer Stores :)

The list :) like always is endless :)

At the end of it :) all I know is... :)

Nothing can beat a life in Mumbai :)


P.S. Special thanks to you Moi for sharing this wonderful mail with me :)