The Good Samaritan
Navigating traffic in torrid summer and torrential rain in south Kolkata, he ekes out his living. He ferries passengers to their destination always with a smile. He endures his hardship and battles poverty without a whimper. He is expansive and humane. His conscience, compassion and magnanimity are hard to find in this age of greed and selfishness.
Meet Kanai Sarkar.
Come rain or shine, you may come across this 45-year-old auto driver on NSC Bose Road between Garia and Anwar Shah Road. His day begins at 6am as he drops school children to their destinations. On Kolkata’s pitiable roads, he has to cope with series of problems — from pot-holes to hostile traffic sergeants to rude and ill-mannered passengers. But, he neither uses foul language nor frowns at them.
His daily grind includes negotiating pot-holed roads which make things worse in the rainy season and traumatic traffic. While his fellow auto-drivers don’t bother about rulebooks, he never flouts them. If any passenger urges him to drive faster, he never resorts to rash driving. In the process, he often faces impolite and unruly backlashes. But, he bears them with equanimity. What sets him apart from other auto-drivers is his large-heartedness, benevolence and generosity. Ever alert about his elderly passengers, he always drives with extra caution while negotiating the pock-marked city roads. He even extends his helping hand, literally, to get them off the vehicles to the safety of footpath.
A school student the other day forgot to bring his wallet and discovered it only when he reached his destination. “Kaku, I forgot to bring my purse,” the boy pleaded helplessly. “No problem,” replied Kanai. “Baba, take this Rs 15. You’ll need it while returning home,” he added.
A Good Samaritan like him is extremely rare today. While we’re unscrupulously chasing money every moment, this auto-driver faces challenges without any complaint and remains happy, helping others even amid adversity.
Salute to you, Kanaida.
Kanai Sarkar: A good soul
