Kerala auto driver honoured in Dubai

Dubai, Jul 4 (PTI) An auto rickshaw driver from south
Indian state Kerala has been honoured in Dubai for his act of
returning a bag-full of gold ornaments worth at least
half-a-million rupees to its rightful owner.
Calicut resident Mohammed Rafeeq was selected for the
award by a special committee of the Kozhikkodu District
Pravasi Association (KDPA-UAE), Emirates 24/7 reported here.
Various associations, clubs and the mayor of the city
have already honoured Rafeeq back home, said Venkat Mohan,
President of KDPA-UAE.
Rafeeq, who belongs to a poor family, earns between Rs
300 to 500 per day and supports his family which includes two
sisters and mother.
"I feel honoured to be invited to the UAE and to be
given a public reception and reward following media reports
about my honesty and integrity. Most of the auto rickshaw
drivers in my city are honest," Rafeeq said.
Recalling the incident on March 18, he said: "Two
ladies and a gentleman booked my three-wheeler from the city
to the railway station. I dropped them at the station and took
another passenger.
"After half an hour, I noticed a bag in the back seat.
When I opened it, it was full of gold ornaments. I decided to
go back to the railway station and hand over the gold to the
lady.
"I know that they were in Calicut in connection with a
marriage programme. When I reached there, the lady was crying
and appealing for help with many people assembled around her,"
he said.