A heartwarming video from Kolkata has captured the internet's attention, offering a positive counter-narrative to the frequent reports of misbehaviour by cab drivers towards passengers. The clip, recorded via a dashboard camera, showcases a cab driver's patient and protective interaction with an intoxicated female passenger, ensuring she gets home safely.
A Calm Assurance in the Cab
The viral footage begins with the visibly drunk woman repeatedly asking the driver, "Can you get me home safe, uncle?" Displaying remarkable composure, the driver from Kolkata, West Bengal, immediately reassures her. "Don't worry. I am here. I will take you back home safe," he tells her, setting a tone of security.
The passenger, concerned about her mother's reaction, pleads, "I am very drunk. Don't tell my mom I am drunk. My mom will kill me." She then proceeds to call her mother, informing her in Bengali, "Ami rastae maa (I am on my way, mother)." She hands the phone to the driver, who takes on the responsibility of calming the worried parent.
The Driver's Responsible Handling
The cab driver speaks directly to the woman's mother, providing clear updates. He assures her, "Ami nea aschi oke. Ami bari pouchanor 5 minute aage apnake phone kore debo, thik ache? (I am bringing her home. I will call you 5 minutes before we reach, okay?)" Even when the passenger interrupts, asking, "Uncle, am I drunk?" he gently insists, "Please, please let me talk to your mother," maintaining his focus on her safety.
He further informs the mother about the traffic situation at Ultodanga, stating, "Ekhon amra Ultodanga te. time lagbe. rastae traffic ache. Apni Nischinte thakun, ami pouche dichchi. (Now we are at Ultodanga. It will take time to reach. There is traffic. You may not worry, I will bring her home)."
Mixed Reactions from Netizens
After the call, the woman expresses her fear of being slapped by her mother for her state. The driver jokes, "She should! You are acting like a spoilt brat," to which the woman laughs and agrees. She sincerely thanks him for his help. The driver humbly replies, "It is my duty. It is my job. I take money for this," before dropping her home.
The person who shared the video online captioned it, "This is Kolkata ♥️", adding that the driver ensured the woman reached home safely "with dignity untouched." However, the internet's response was split.
While many users hailed the driver as a "perfect gentleman" and praised his "education and culture," a significant section argued that this was the "basic duty" of any service provider. They contended that such bare minimum expectations of safety and decency should not be overly glorified, highlighting the ongoing concerns about passenger security, especially for women.
