Bangladeshi cabbie honoured in UAE for honesty

Ariful Karim, a Bangladesh national, has been driving people around the UAE since he left the job of computer designing to become a taxi driver at Dubai Taxi two years back.

It is a job he thoroughly enjoys, despite working for long hours from 4:00am to 4:00pm, even though it means staying away from his family in Bangladesh.

He is happy about how his honesty beyond the call of duty has been recognised and applauded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Bangladeshi is now an idol to many others, proudly showing his badge of honour he received from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of the UAE for returning the cash forgotten behind by a passenger, reports Emirates 24 News.

“It happened last year, just before the end of Ramadan, when a passenger forgot to take his belongings when he stepped out of the cab. I didn’t notice it, and had a few passengers after that. It’s when I was taking a breather that I found a paper packet that had slipped between the seats,” Ariful recalled.

“When I pulled out the pack, I realised that it had cash in it, which totalled Dh2,35,000 after I counted it,” he also said.

“I called the RTA and deposited the pack with the office. After a day, the passenger approached the RTA and was told his packet was intact. I was also called in, and I met the passenger, who was from Iran. He rewarded me with Dh300,” Ariful added.

Ariful was honoured by RTA with a badge and certificate, applauding his honesty.

He claimed this isn’t the first time that he stepped out from the line of duty and helped, saying that the passengers often leave behind their wallet or mobile phones, and each time he makes it a point to report to the office, and deposit it there.

The 28-year-old Bangladesh national said his parents have been instrumental in teaching him to choose the right path always.

“Allah takes care of me, so why should I worry?” he smiled.