UAE | General
Honest driver returns Dh40,000
It is not the first time Rahim Khan Khilgi, a limousine driver, had found valuables left behind by passengers.
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:59 September 5, 2007
- Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
- "Most people ask me why I chose to return the money, but only my wife and a friend said I did the right thing," says Khilgi.
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.
Dh4,000 reward
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.
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