Journalist and lauded curator of the #MeToo movement in India, Rituparna Chatterjee recently took to Twitter to share a heart-warming encounter she had with a selfless and compassionate Uber driver. Having tested positive, she was desperately looking for a means to travel to a hospital to admit her ailing mother. Failing to find an ambulance and multiple Uber cancellations later, she chanced upon a booking with Mr Udit Agarwal.
Check out this tale of humanitarian compassion for yourself.
Thread: This is a story of an Uber driver with an exceptional heart and compassion. On April 28, a couple of good friends helped me get an urgent bed for my mother (she’s been to three hospitals now). Her oxygen was at 80 and dipping. We had one cylinder. We had to shift her. pic.twitter.com/c96ut02Qd9
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
She was getting worse. I was calling ambulance after ambulance and not a single one was available. I had to take her to a facility 40 kms from my home, based on a cylinder that could run out on the way. I don’t have a car. Finally had no other option but to start calling Uber.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
At least four of them cancelled. To the fifth one I said, “brother if you’re going to cancel, tell me at once, because I can’t risk waiting 15-20 minutes and then see you cancelling the trip, so I want to tell you upfront the details so you have the choice.”
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
I told him me and mother, as far as we know, are still covid positive, into our 12th day. But we’re taking all precautions. I told him I cannot find transport and my mother’s oxygen was dipping, and I need him to take us to a covid facility 40 kms away.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
He said “I’ll be there in 3-4 minutes.” He wasn’t just there. I sanitised the oxygen cylinder, he carried it to the car. He drove me to the facility as fast as he was allowed, he waited there — a place on the outskirts of Delhi with no public transport — for four hours,
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
turned his meter off, argued with the guards to let us in, once in, he helped my mother (barely conscious) to a chair, waited until she was admitted, kept giving her water while I was busy with the formalities, and once done, brought me back home.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
Next day he again took me there, waited as I discharged her, rushed us to a hospital near my house, hung around till I got a bed, kept his AC on for her, then once she was settled in a room, brought me back home safe late at night again, then proceeded to argue
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
with me that he was being paid “too much!” for what is his humanitarian duty. The screenshot is from when I informed him about mum’s admission to LNJP. The kindness of strangers is helping us weather this storm. And I want to acknowledge every single instance of it.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
He said he’s had the Covid shot, already had Covid last year and has no fear of it. Last I heard, he’s ok. I hope he continues to be so. He took my number in case he needs help. Hope we are able to eventually give back to our community what we’re taking from it. Love and hope.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
*just correcting a small typo: the screenshot is from when I informed him next day that she’s still in Tripathi, admitted, when he asked how she’s doing.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 12, 2021
Soon after Ms Chatterjee shared her story, heartfelt responses started pouring in, and Uber India promised to laud their driver with the appreciation he deserved.
Kindly help us with his details through a Direct Message so that we can celebrate his story and ensure he gets the recognition he rightly deserves. Thank you for sharing this with the good samaritans of the internet. It truly reinstates our belief in humanity 💯 🙌 ✨
— Uber India (@Uber_India) May 12, 2021
In fact, what started out as a simple tale of hope and kindness in these testing times soon turned into an impromptu fundraiser. When Twitteratti learnt of this exceptional Uber driver’s pending EMI payments, they were eager to help him out.
To those who reached out asking to know how they can help him, donate or show their appreciation, I now have his written consent. This is his Gpay UPI id: uditagarwal1973@okicici 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/oTJrmLYn0I
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) May 13, 2021
Sent him a little something. This story has made me cry+smile. So happy for him and his family.
— June Paul (@journojuno) May 13, 2021
Contributed small bit from my side for this wonderful human. Thank you for bringing this beautiful story to light. India needs more people like him in these times❤️
— Яαmyα ✨ (@ImRamya_) May 14, 2021
Thanks for sharing his details. Have shared my token of gratitude for his humanity
— Bhalo Chele (@joyjitguha) May 13, 2021
Related: Covid-19 Crisis: 8 Food Relief Organisations Working To Feed The Underprivileged
Here’s what the good samaritan and his family had to say
On recognising the driver in the tweets as a member of their family, the Uber driver’s son and nephew tweeted back.
On my behalf of my dad thank you for the appraisal you have given him. But according to him he did this for just the sake of humanity. Thank you for the appreciation. Feeling proud of my father https://t.co/eZctUAJAcz
— Shrey Agarwal (@ShreyAg82185234) May 13, 2021
I am extremely proud to say this is my uncle. Life at times get unfortunate and we have to make the best out of it.
He has been driving uber for couple of years and taking care of his family.Can’t be more proud of my udit chacha!! ❤️ https://t.co/cK5qsHtM5w
— Aviral Aggarwal (@AviralAgg) May 13, 2021
At a time when the entire country is reeling from the devastation of the second wave, stories like these give us hope. Be it people like Udit Aggarwal, the oxygen langars at gurudwaras, or strangers on the internet helping each other find leads on life-saving resources, this pandemic has highlighted the everlasting goodness of humanity. May we always find a chance to pay it forward.
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