Lucknow: The unending traffic jams in Lucknow may be leaving the local residents irritated and angry but for Maniram, a rickshaw puller, it has brought a windfall.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the CEO of a mobile commerce platform, was one of the recipients of the Yash Bharti award on Thursday. Hours later, he was scheduled to meet Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, at the latter’s official residence.
As he made his way to the CM’s residence, his car was caught in a traffic jam. The CEO got down from his car and hired a rickshaw. Since the security officials at Mr Akhilesh’s residence had been asked to allow the ‘guest’ to arrive in his vehicle, the rickshaw was allowed inside the CM’s residence. The Chief Minister, who welcomed the CEO, was surprised to see him come in a rickshaw.
Mr Akhilesh spoke to Maniram, who belongs to Rae Bareli, about his family, children and home.
About a half an hour later when the rickshaw puller rode out of the CM’s residence, he was the owner of a new e-rickshaw, had Rs 6,000 cash in his pocket, approval for a Samajwadi pension for his wife and a Lohia house in Lucknow.
“This Diwali has changed my life for me and my family. All our blessings are for the Chief Minister and his family for helping me so much”, he told security men posted outside Mr Akhilesh’s residence.
