What is your definition of a hero?

For me, a hero is someone who does noble acts, brave deeds, or outstanding service to humanity. Today, I am writing about a 76-year-old Delhi resident who lives up to all these ideals and expectations. So unassuming is Harjinder Singh that when I speak to him, he sheepishly tells me that he is famous on Facebook where a few pages have featured him. Little does he know that he is known well beyond the confines of social media.

He begins by telling me about the various positions he has held over the years, “I have been a Traffic Warden for the Delhi Police and also the General Secretary of the Autorickshaw Union. Having started as an autorickshaw driver in 1964, it has been over 55 years since I have been driving and not once have I got any challan or even been stopped by traffic police,” he says with pride.

I ask him what he did as a Traffic Warden, and with great enthusiasm, he tells me,

I acted as a bridge between the Delhi Traffic Police and the general public. It was a big thing for an autorickshaw driver to be named a Traffic Warden, there was even a press release that was issued for the same.

Singh recently made news headlines for running an “auto ambulance” on the streets of Delhi. The autorickshaw that Singh drives is well-stocked with a first-aid kit that contains all the emergency requisites like bandages, antiseptic lotion, cream for burns and paracetamol. To ensure that he had the basic knowledge of administering first-aid, he underwent training himself.

Having started this service in 1978, Singh says, “I will do this until I breathe my last.”

When I asked what the source of his deep commitment to the community was, Singh shares, “I remember the time when there were floods in Delhi. I, as a part of the Sikh community, got together with many others and did seva (service) wherever I could. That ended, but my desire to continue to help people did not. So, around that time, I started the free auto ambulance service.”

Whenever I see an injured person on the street, I make it a point to take them to the nearest hospital so that they can get immediate medical assistance, says Singh.

When asked if he can share the number of people he has helped over the years, he says, “So many, but I have never kept a count. Earlier on I would get certificates from the hospital for this, but then I have helped so many that I have just lost count.”

Just as I pose my next question, he hurriedly asks me if we can speak at a later time since he had just received a call about an accident. As his autorickshaw displays his number, many people, who have saved the same, reach out when they encounter an accident on the streets of Delhi.

Not one to refuse, Singh says, “I cannot be everywhere but will try my best to help as many as I can.”

Over and above all this, whatever money he makes from driving the auto, he keeps aside some for his family, and the rest he spends on buying medicines for patients who are unable to afford them. “I make a note of their name, number, and address, and whenever I am in the vicinity, I drop off the free medicines to them.”

Given his age, he is often urged by his family members to take a break and stay at home to which he replies that working keeps him mentally alert and happy. “The more work I do, the happier I feel. I do not want to be either dependent on anyone or feel like a burden.”

You May Also Like: This Lady Has Single-Handedly Helped More Than 150 Terminally Ill Kids in Delhi!

When you speak to Singh, what will strike you almost immediately is his humility and his deep-rooted desire to help people. “I do not want ever to stand around and watch some helpless person lose his life,” he says as we end our conversation.

If you wish to speak to him or would like to reach out and help Singh in some way, you could do so by calling him at +91-8750697110.

(Edited by Saiqua Sultan)

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: [email protected]
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.