Dubai driver reunites with family after two years as heartfelt gift from Hala: 'Speechless with happiness'

Some gifts are too beautiful to put into words.

For Nikhil Pramod Ghatkar, a dedicated taxi driver who has been with Hala, an e-hailing taxi solution,  for five years, won the grand prize as part of Hala Hero Rewards, which is a form of acknowledgment, appreciation for their taxi drivers. As part of the reward, Ghatkar's wife, children, and mother were flown into Dubai for an all-expenses-paid trip. “It was the best time,” he says, adding that he was, and is still, 'speechless' with happiness.

The reunion at the airport was emotional, filled with flowers, hugs, and disbelief. For a moment, they couldn’t quite believe they were together again. His daughter kept repeating how unreal it felt, while a particularly touching moment was when his mother experienced her first-ever flight.

For the first time, Ghatkar also got to visit Global Village and Miracle Garden, this time as a visitor, not just a driver. “Otherwise, we do around 100 drops and pick-ups every day, but never had the chance to actually go inside,” he explains.

Beyond these visits, the family enjoyed a curated itinerary of sightseeing, including a Big Bus Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, which let them explore the city’s landmarks at their own pace. They marveled at the vibrant floral artistry of Dubai Miracle Garden, soaked in the cultural diversity of Global Village, and ended their trip with a dhow cruise and dinner from Dubai Marina, taking in the breathtaking city skyline.

Rehman Afzal, Director of Operations at Hala, shared the story behind this initiative: “Last year, during the fourth quarter, the team came up with an idea to ensure, recognize, and encourage the well-being of our captains. It’s also about celebrating their small wins and acknowledging their hard work and dedication.”

Ghatkar was selected for his outstanding performance, achieving a 96 per cent booking acceptance rate, completing over 1,200 trips in Q4, and maintaining an impressive customer rating of 4.91.