Uday Singh Jadhav does not ask for money from his customers but humbly accepts whatever he is offered. His innovative auto rickshaw is equipped with food and also a mini library to attract all the bookworms. He is devoted to his work and has been acknowledged for his selfless service by celebrities.
Ahmedabad: Uday Singh Jadhav, a Gandhiji’s follower from Ahmedabad follows a simple lifestyle. He dresses modestly in white Indian attire, talks politely, treats everyone with respect, and is always on the lookout for an opportunity to help somebody out. He receives appreciation from all his customers for his unbiased and accepting nature.
The story of Uday Singh Jadhav
Uday might not be able to earn lakhs of rupees, but he never complains about his modest income. He accepts everything as it is and has learned to live happily and satisfactorily with what he has. He was born into poverty and his father was also an auto rickshaw driver. He had two brothers and six sisters and managing the finances was a difficult task for his father.
Unable to pay his fees, Uday had to discontinue his studies after grade 10. He found a job as a washer at a garage which paid him Rs 1 per car. The income was unbearably low, and he could not even afford a single meal from the collected money. His brothers also did menial jobs to support the family.
He learned to drive an auto and while driving, one day he found a doctor who offered him a job. Uday learned oil massaging at the doctor’s clinic and continued with the job for 15 years.
While doing his job honestly, Uday came in contact with an NGO worker, Manas Sadhana. He learned about social service through Manas and decided that he too wanted to do something in the service of people.
It’s not just an auto
With some savings, Uday bought an auto rickshaw of his own and became a driver. He does not consider his auto as just a ride but more of a refreshing stop to relax, while he drops his customers to their destinations. It’s hard to believe when you hear what all his auto is equipped with.
He has children’s toys, a tiny library, a dustbin, home-cooked food, and some utensils for convenience, all packed in an orderly and organized manner in the small place of his auto.
Shimmering in his all-white attire under the hot sun, Uday’s cap says “Love all, serve all” to attract customers to his comfortable ride. He recollects the memories he spent in Sabarmati and mentions that he was always inspired by the deeds of Gandhiji.
Uday’s auto is more like his buddy and also has a name, ‘Ahmedabad No Rickshawlo’. He does not have a metre in his auto rickshaw, and never asks the customers for a certain amount of money. He just willingly accepts whatever his customers offer him.
Uday’s father was disappointed
Uday’s father was not particularly happy with his idea of offering free rides to people. He worried about not being able to earn enough money. But Uday was not discouraged. He shares that all the decoration in the auto is done by his wife, and she whole-heartedly prepares food for him and his customers.
With his honest living, he had managed to provide the best education to his sons and is immensely proud of them for never looking down upon him. Gradually, once he started receiving blessings from his customers, his father started appreciating his efforts.
Sabarmati Sarathi
Uday began a van service with the name ‘Sabarmati Sarathi’. The van offers all the facilities that his auto has. With the help of a non-profit organization, Uday was able to buy this van on a loan. He constantly makes headlines for his social work and has had the opportunity of meeting celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Kajol.
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