Not Just a Auto-Rickshaw Driver, Mohammad is a Good Samaritan Too!
Mangaluru: When it comes to giving a ride to pregnant women to reach the hospital or clinic, or take an accident victim quickly to the emergency ward (while other onlookers are busy clicking selfies or photos of the accident victim at the spot), or helping a blind person cross the road and if needed even give him a ride to his destination; etc -there is one person among many auto-rickshaw drivers in the city, and who also happens to be good Samaritan- and he is none other than 56-year-old K Mohammad, hailing from Akashabhavan, Kavoor, Mangaluru.
Riding his auto-rickshaw having the name ” Sheik Davood”, named after a Dargah in Tamil Nadu in November 2014, until now he has given ride to nearly 25 pregnant women, and taken nearly 20 accident victims to the hospital free of cost- and he says that he will continue doing this free service till he is capable of doing it. He has signed in Kannada both in the front and back which reads-” Free Service”-Pregnant women to be rushed to the hospital for delivery, hospitalization of accident cases, and blind persons with the poor vision of both eyes. Service timings are: 8 am – 6 pm”.
Doing his education only up to ninth standard at Kavoor Govt. School, he later worked as a conductor in a private bus, before he purchased his own auto-rickshaw. Married to Jenam, who is a housewife, Mohammad has five children- three girls and two boys, of which two girls are married, another one just completed her PUC, while his one son is employed in Gulf, the other working as a bus conductor. Happily married, Mohammad says that God has blessed him with good health, a good family, good relatives and friends. The community service that he is doing, he considers not as a help, but as one of his duties, that everyone also should do when it comes to helping the needy.
He says that the idea of helping others in need began when he noticed that many people stay away from lending a helping hand when they are in need like a pregnant woman desperately trying to reach the hospital in time for delivery; or like an accident victim needs to be rushed to the hospital for quick treatment; or giving ride to a blind person. He stops his vehicle whenever he sees a blind person, and offers a free ride. Such is the nature of K Mohammad, who is definitely a Good Samaritan for someone in need. He says that he never gets arrogant nor demands money for his service- all he wants is appreciation and thanks from the people he helped, which he says that not many people are grateful.
Like an example he gave- In 2015, a couple along with their child riding a two-wheeler hit a road median and fell, where the child was hurt on the face, while the man resulted in an arm fracture- since no one was willing to transport the injured to the hospital, Mohammad came forward and took them to Ullas Hospital in Alake, where he himself paid for their initial treatment amount of Rs 500 or so. But the sad part was that the couple didn’t even bother to thank him, instead simply walked away once they were done with the treatment.
Earlier Mohammad had mentioned his phone number on the sign posted on his auto-rickshaw, but since people started making prank calls, he deleted the phone number from the sign, but has his number on Whatsapp and also many other auto-rickshaw have his phone number, who call him when someone needs a free ride. Mohammad says that he is ready to give a free ride to anyone who needs medical attention, but he is reluctant in giving free rides to persons involved in a fight or drunkards. In 2014, he was felicitated by Besant women’s College along with other two auto-rickshaw drivers for his social service, other than that no one has honored or appreciated his kind gesture.
Mohammad works from Monday to Saturday from 8 am-6 pm, and on Sunday from 8 am- noon. He says that he earns around Rs 600- 700 after expenses each day, which is quite sufficient to support his family. Since serving others is his nature, he intends to carry on his service motto until he is fit to do it. A message from him to our readers is that ” When someone is in need don’t hesitate to help them. When an accident victim needs quick attention to be taken to the hospital, don’t just stare at the victim or take photos, instead quickly rush him to the hospital or clinic. Remember you won’t be in trouble with the law since presently there is a law where you can help an accident victim without any inquiries by the police. Me and you can surely make a difference in the society let us all develop a habit of helping others in need. Thank You!”
Mohammad’s phone number is 9880279418 (No Prank Calls Please)