Adil Najam
We write here often about corruption games and misappropriation deals by politicians and others. But we also want to honestly depict the actions of those many — many, many, many, in fact — who live by the principles of hard work and honesty that we all cherish. I am convinced that despite the cynicism that we all exude, the good amongst us are far more than the bad amongst us.
I was reading Gulf News in the plane last week and saw this story about a great ambassador for Pakistan. After reading everything else in the paper about Pakistan this made me immensely proud and hopeful.
Abu Dhabi: It is not the first time Rahim Khan Khilgi, a limousine driver, had found valuables left behind by passengers. “I have returned more than 18 mobile phones left behind by passengers. Besides, I also got Dh14,000 on one instance and $2000 on another. At all times, I have ensured that the passenger got back his/her belongings,” said Khilgi. Recently, Khilgi, a Pakistani driver working for Fast Limousine, was surprised when he realised that a passenger left behind his wallet containing Dh40,000 besides credit cards, cheques and other important documents. “On April 19, at midnight, a passenger from the business lounge of Etihad Airways boarded the limo. After I dropped him off at Dubai Marina I stopped at a fuel station to fill up. I got out of the car and as I was about to take my bag from behind I noticed a purse on the back seat,” said Khilgi.
He immediately handed over the valuables to Captain Ahmad Al Merri, the police duty officer at the airport. He has been working with Fast Limousine for the past three years. Earning Dh2,600 on an average every month, Khilgi said he wouldn’t say that money is not important to him. “Money is the most important thing these days. But can it give happiness? No. whereas the gratitude and happiness of a person who gets back his belongings are immeasurable.
“Most people ask me why I chose to return the money, but only my wife and a friend said that I did the right thing by returning the money,” he said.
Moved by the driver’s honesty, Captain Ahmad Al Merri wrote a letter to Fast Limousine’s management who in turn brought the incident to the notice of the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC). Two weeks ago, ADAC honoured Khilgi ‘for demonstrating a high sense of honesty and personal integrity while serving customers at Abu Dhabi International Airport’. Recently, Khilgi was the guest of honour at a special ceremony hosted by ADAC Operations Department to present him a cheque of Dh4,000 in recognition of his exemplary attitude.
When I first came to Dubai to look for a job, I had to go to a lot of offices for interviews and many times the cab driver would be a Pakistani. I’d usually talk to these guys, ask them where they were from, when they came here, how often they went back, etc. On many occassions, the cab drivers refused to take money from me… saying they could not take money from a compatriot looking for work and wishing me luck in my job hunt. I was touched by their simple generosity, even though these guys were making less than $250 a month and it was obvious from my suit, manner of speaking and the offices I went to that I was fairly well off. This story is repeated by many of my other Pakistani friends working in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I believe the average Pakistani is honest, generous (to a fault), simple and perhaps even moderate. The people we read about in the papers, who represent us locally and abroad… are not a true representation of our nation.
Adil
People like him define character and make our nation proud. 2600 Dh per month is a low salary for Abu Dhabi. Situation in UAE is pretty bad if you fall victim to the lower and lower middle income class. People can not afford an apartment therefore they share room and bedspaces. It is a pretty shabby place underneath all the glitter. I was told that this was not the case but since the 9/11, all the new investment etc have fueled housing cost in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and even once affordable Sharjah has gone past average person.
Considering how in recent years rise in cost of living has spiked and Mr. Khilgi’s meagre salary, I salute him for his honesty. May God bless him.
These kinds of people are rare in our society. I oftenly say “once we used to pinpoint corrupt people in our where abouts and now we pinpoint honest people in our neighborhoods”.
I admire the honesty because it is not easy as the driver accepted by himself. So far only his wife and one friend said he did right things but rest of them not because they are influenced by corrupt society.
Adil,
Very touching story. Khilji’s honesty is remarkable. Alas, he does not belong to the catagory of important Pakistnis who represent the country. He belongs to the people (masses). I am afraid you have chosen a wrong person to represent Pakistan as an honest ambassador (official). Of course he can be an ambassador of honest Pakistani people but not that of Pakistan the country.
Awesome! He get rewarded for his honesty