Last week, a radio channel in Delhi successfully carried out a crowd-funding campaign to help a debt-ridden auto-driver who stumped everyone with his exemplary honest act of returning a bag worth Rs 8 lakh to a passenger.
And now, another heart-warming story is brewing in Mumbai where social media users are trying to raise money for an auto-driver who is forced to ply the city with his two-year-old son in his lap.
The driver with his son makes for a heart-rending picture
Mohammad Saeed, a resident of Versova village in Mumbai, has been reportedly carrying his toddler son Muzammil to work. Saeed has no other option. His wife Yasmin has been left paralysed by a stroke and is bed-ridden.
#CoverStory | Paralysed wife at home, auto driver plies around with 2-yr-old son in lapRead: https://t.co/seLNBr3HKl pic.twitter.com/LGau3O2E6y
— Mumbai Mirror (@MumbaiMirror) May 15, 2017
Saeed also has a three-month daughter, who is being taken care of by a neighbour, as per a Mumbai Mirror report.
Saeed says he has been working round-the-clock, rushing every two hours to his wife to give her medicines and food. He also desperately needs money for his wife’s medical expenses.
A filmmaker highlighted his story on social media
The case was brought to public notice after film director Vinod Kapri tweeted out the driver’s picture and mobile number so people can get in touch with they for help.
Ths is heartbreaking.met Md.Saeed(9702098346) 2day in mumbai.Wife paralysed.Nobody to take care of his son.still fighting & driving auto. pic.twitter.com/2XIJ4uces4
— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) May 14, 2017
The post was shared widely with close to 1,500 retweets and now people are asking Kapri how they can help.
Today, Kapri also tweeted out Saeed’s bank account number so whoever wishes to help can directly transfer money in his account.
@Narasimrishpaap @TajinderBagga @sakshijoshi85 @pankajjha_ @Mrityunjoykjha @MrinalPande1 @akashbanerjee @SreenivasanJain @Shibasishsarkar @YRDeshmukh @RanaYashwant1 @ShekharGupta If you want to help him, Bank:Bank Of IndiaAccount holder name : Rehana Mohd Raees ShaikhAcc # : 010510410000136IFSC Code : BKID0000105
— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) May 14, 2017
ScoopWhoop News tried to contact Saeed but his number was switched off. Which is not surprising given how many people must be trying to get in touch with him,hopefully to help.
For hours now, people have been relentlessly asking for details and promising help.
@vinodkapri @TajinderBagga @sakshijoshi85 @pankajjha_ @Mrityunjoykjha @MrinalPande1 @akashbanerjee @SreenivasanJain @Shibasishsarkar @YRDeshmukh @RanaYashwant1 @ShekharGupta Any help that can be done without harming his self respect, I am willing to do. Will do some help
— Narasimharaju (@Narasimrishpaap) May 14, 2017
@vinodkapri @suhelseth @sakshijoshi85 @pankajjha_ @Mrityunjoykjha @MrinalPande1 @akashbanerjee @SreenivasanJain @Shibasishsarkar @YRDeshmukh @RanaYashwant1 @ShekharGupta Does he has a bank account? We should crowdfund.
— Senthil (@SocialSenthil) May 14, 2017
@vinodkapri @sakshijoshi85 @pankajjha_ @Mrityunjoykjha @MrinalPande1 @akashbanerjee @SreenivasanJain @Shibasishsarkar @YRDeshmukh @RanaYashwant1 @ShekharGupta We as humans can help him by giving financial help as much one can. I m in. Pl ask him to give details of his bank a/c
— OM NARAIN AWASTHI (@onawasthi12) May 14, 2017
@vinodkapri @suhelseth @sakshijoshi85 @pankajjha_ @Mrityunjoykjha @MrinalPande1 @akashbanerjee @SreenivasanJain @Shibasishsarkar @YRDeshmukh @RanaYashwant1 @ShekharGupta Wonder if we can b of some help to guys like him, for a start lets take care of his kids education, i m in
— Jayant Singh (@jayants1977) May 14, 2017
We now hope this social media activism does translate to something concrete for Saeed and his family.