In Neelankarai, autorickshaw driver R.Thiruvandhagam Kumar is the talk of the neighbourhood.
The 55-year-old autorickshaw driver was recently honoured by the Sri Kapaleeswarar Nagar Welfare Association for his honesty. He had returned the money purse of a passenger he had ferried home.
On the night of June 12, a lady from Neelankarai, who was returning from Madurai, got down at the Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station and engaged the auto driven by Thiruvandhagam. When she alighted at her house, she did not realise that her purse was still in the auto.
Thiruvandhagam saw the purse after reaching his home late at night. Realising it must be of the lady who was dropped last, he rode to Kapaleeswarar Nagar the next morning and returned the purse. The lady was surprised to see the autorickshaw driver at her doorstep.
The purse contained 25 sovereigns of gold, ₹10,000 and some cards, said a release.
The autorickshaw driver was honoured with a cash prize of ₹1,000 by the Association. It conducted a function to honour Thiruvandhagam. The grateful passenger gave him ₹2500 and the Neelankarai police, ₹500.
“I am so happy to be honoured for my honesty. I never expected to get anything in return. Previously, I returned two mobile phones left behind by passengers,” said Thiruvandhagam, who bought new clothes for his two daughters with the money.
Thiruvandhagam has been driving the auto for the last two years and is a resident of Kumaraguru Nagar. He can be reached at 9841668388
