My encounter with Uber driver – Piyush

I have been using Uber and Ola for over 3 years now. While I have nothing much to complain, I would say I have been fairly satisfied with both these services at various cities in India, where I have used these taxi hailing apps. Not to mention some of the usual cribs with these cab drivers!

I have come across some hard working and pleasant drivers to some “crooks” who have tried to cheat me by taking me on some unfamiliar routes – especially in a new city, just to make some extra money. I have had to encounter dirty cars with torn seats, drivers with loud blaring music to non-functioning AC at times. I have taken all these occasional incidents in my stride.

However, I was pleasantly surprised when I requested for a taxi in the morning a couple of weeks ago to go to TISS at Chembur from my place at Mulund. A gleaming white Hyundai Xcent was waiting for me at 8.30 in the morning. I almost fell out of the car when I saw two crisp newspapers (Times of India and the other Economic Times) neatly placed in the rear seats of the car. Piyush, my driver for the day – wished me with a very chirpy “good morning” and reconfirmed the destination. He told me that he has kept two newspapers for my reading comfort! It did not stop at that. He said, “Sir I have kept two Bisleri bottles of water in the bottle holders. Please feel free to use them”. I was on cloud nine! What a delightful service! I did not get this kind of a service even in a five-star hotel that I had stayed at Bangalore three weeks ago. I was welcomed with a basket of “rotten fruits” on arrival!

I don’t interact much with the drivers, while taking cabs. Normally, I keep to myself either by reading a newspaper or a book or my kindle for the evening rides, returning missed calls or taking the much needed cat nap! I kept my eyes closed for a couple of minutes. This is my regular ritual – to pray to the Almighty to get me to my destination in time, despite the Mumbai traffic and this is the monsoon season, mind you! Being an “amateur behavioural scientist” that I am, I decided to do some investigation to find out who this “gem” of a driver was. I asked Piyush – “do you drive this car – as a full-time assignment as a day job or is this a part time job?”. Piyush answered “Sir, I am student and I am currently pursuing my ICWA course. I have been a driver with Uber for over a year and half now. I drive the car whenever time permits. Uber gives me the flexibility to earn while I learn”.

Piyush went further – “I am the only son of my parents and have been doing part time jobs from the time I was in 12th standard. I have bought this car with my own funds.” My guess - Piyush was approximately about 23 years of age and hearing this from someone his age was music to my ears. “Both my parents work and I would get bored at home, hence, I started doing odd jobs. I did work as a crew member at McDonalds and Pizza Hut. With my hard work, I was promoted as a Shift Manager at KFC within a couple of years. Not wanting to work for the long hours at these food outlets, I took up the job of an accountant at a local firm closer home. But my real passion is photography.”

I probed a little further and got to know that Piyush’s parents wanted him to pursue CA. Since, he did not qualify, he had opted for ICWA course instead, just to please his parents. Another surprise was in store when he mentioned that he is starting his video blogging site and a Youtube channel titled “Mumbai Local”, soon wherein he is going to capture information about little known places in India. One of the examples he quoted was the Myanmar gate in Igatpuri and the little known forts on the way to Ratnagiri in Maharashtra.

Piyush, then showed me his tiny little camera placed on top of the car, which captures a 360-degree video of any place. He would edit these clips for his video blog. I haven’t come across such a passionate young man – who is so clear with his dreams and passion!

To the question – “how about your friends or colleagues, or your parents – did they not stop you or mock at you when started driving a taxi?” Piyush had a philosophical answer – “I have had all kinds of friends – the good, bad and the ugly. I have now learnt to differentiate. Of course, it was difficult convincing my parents, initially. Looking at my passion and determination – my parents left me on my own.”

I wanted this conversation to continue. Alas, I was nearing my destination and I would be forced to alight! While waiting near the signal at the TISS convention centre – Piyush got another call for a pick up from a customer near Deonar. He handled this request with aplomb! I thanked Piyush for this wonderful ride and wished him the very best in all his endeavours!

I kept reflecting on this event all through the day. At a time, when majority of young men are whiling away their time, it was a delightful experience to have interacted with Piyush, who has such a clarity in what he wishes to do in life. How I wish, we could have more of Piyush’s amongst us. I had a chat with my wife after coming back home and she suggested that we take our son to meet Piyush – for him to learn some “lessons in life” from Piyush!

Here’s Arun signing off till next encounter!