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.
Dear Pervaiz,
Of course all the Pakistanis living in foreignc ountries are representatives of Pakistan. You simply missed a word “official” in my comments.
“I am afraid you have chosen a wrong person to represent Pakistan as an honest ambassador (official).”
I am touched
Our Politician with billions in pockets should take a note.
Honesty is a rare thing in Pakistan.
“Of course he can be an ambassador of honest Pakistani people but not that of Pakistan the country”.
Dear Ahsan. I missed your point. All of those living outside their country of origin are ambassadors of their mother country. People form opinion about others by what they see and hear. An honest Pakistani cab driver on the streets of New York or Washington D.C. is as much ambassador of Pakistan as the official ambassador sitting in the embassy. I wish this point is taken by ALL of our ex-pats all over the world. Our doctors in America because of their work and attitude enjoy good reputation in that country. They bring good name to Pakistan in spite of the media onslaught towards Pakistan and Muslims in the post-nine eleven period. Governments and systems come and go but you can not separate country from its people. People make the country. People are the country. If you do not approve of the government, change it by all means. If you are not happy with the society, try improving it. But do not pooh-pooh our country. It is sacred to us.
People like Khilji are NOT rare at all… tehy are everywhere…. most people are good and honest most of the time… usually honesty does not make a good story but dishonesty does so we hear much more about the corrupt…. thank you PAKISTANIAT for highlighting the good people….. you rightly say that there are many many of them out there everywhere
Am I the only one thinking he lost all this money and only got 4000 as a reward, where I come from this is bad economics bro. I need to sit down with him and give him some ECON 101 lessons.
:)