The real cool dude: Wheels of Kindness

"We also try and offer any other help that we can. From helping unemployed people find work to arranging weddings to collecting clothes and food for the needy, we do just about anything," says Mali, who distributes visiting cards with his contact number and details of the Sanstha to all passengers so they can get in touch with him whenever they need. And he does not let them down. "Now many people know me in the Dehu Road area and call me when they need my services. Just last month a pregnant woman from Nare called me at 2am as she was going into labour and had to rush to Jagtap Hospital in Anandnagar," he says. In recognition of his work, Mali has also been given a certificate by Bharat Gas Agency, Shivajinagar, to skip the line and directly go to the emergency petrol booth to refuel his vehicle at any petrol pump in the city.

About how the finances work for him to be able to indulge in his social service, Mali says he has not given up picking passengers for a fee. "It helps sustain the cost of fuel and expenses of servicing the vehicle. I have two sons — 29 and 31 years old — who are working and give me Rs 2,000 a month for my expenses. My family is very supportive of the work I do," he says.

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