Imagine reaching your destination in an auto-rickshaw, just to find out that the whole ride was a gift! Sounds like a fantasy, right?
Well, it is a reality when you are in Ahmedabad. Mr. Udaysinh Jadav, also known as “Ahmedabad no Rickshawalo” gives you an empty cover at the end of your ride. The cover says that you can pay from your heart. This is because your ride was a gift from somebody else and whatever you pay will be for the next passenger.
Yes, you read it right. This auto driver from Ahmedabad rides around the city and invites people to contribute from their hearts, not based on the meter. Udaysinh began his journey in 2010 and started driving his auto-rickshaw based on the gift economy.
In the gift economy, every person receives their ride as a gift and someone has already paid for them. At the end of the ride, they get a similar opportunity to contribute to the next person and keep the chain going.
“Seva Cafe is the place that inspired me to begin this journey. Jayesh bhai Patel, my mentor who initiated this space and introduced the concept of the gift economy was my biggest source of inspiration. Seva Cafe is like the mother that feeds people and I am the son that takes people around the city. We both work on gift culture and serve every individual that comes our way,” Udaysinh told LifeBeyondNumbers upon asking about his source of inspiration.
Uday bhai’s love is not just limited to the gift culture, it goes beyond that. Whenever you travel with him, you will find some wonderful facilities in his auto-rickshaw including –
- candies for small kids,
- toys for toddlers,
- water bottle,
- freshly cooked snacks for passengers made by his wife,
- a few books and magazines to read,
- a dustbin to dispose of any waste,
- a reading light, &
- some beautiful messages were written on the walls of the rickshaw.
Also, read: Meet The Auto Driver With 10,000+ Facebook Fans, 2 TED Talks, A Website, And A Mobile App
A ride in his auto-rickshaw is just like visiting your dear one. The way he chit-chats and takes care of all your needs will remind you of an old loving friend.
Wow, this is awesome! But, how did he make the ends meet?
Finances are equally important when it comes to surviving. Working in a gift economy can be a journey filled with uncertainties.
“Initially, everyone was shocked by the decision. My family was worried about how we will make it through. However, I always had my wife by my side. No matter how much I earned, she was the one who managed to make the ends meet with whatever we had. I feel she is the Parvati who supported my journey of becoming Shiva and serving the world. There are tough times, but what keeps me going is the belief in myself and the purpose to serve all,” Udaysinh revealed upon asking about his struggles during the initial period and journey ahead.
Along with this, he has a small container named ‘Akshay Patra’. As per the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Akshay Patra is an inexhaustible vessel. Udaysinh Jadav puts all his earnings in the Akshay Patra, believing that it will always be enough to fulfill the needs that might arise at any moment. He helps people as and when required from the Akshay Patra as well.
The love he has received is beyond imagination!
The love and blessing that people shower on him keep him going on this journey. He does not merely drop a person to their destination but makes sure that all their needs are met. Helping the elders in their journey, making the tourists feel safe, and keeping the kids entertained and adults engaged makes him nothing less than a family member for every passenger.
Well-known leaders and celebrities like Amitabh Bacchan, Kajol, Chetan Bhagat, Asha Parekh, Paresh Rawal, Parthiv Gohil, Morari Bapu, Devki Nandan Ji, and many others have taken a ride in his auto-rickshaw during his journey of several years. They have highly appreciated and supported his Gandhian philosophy of “Love All & Serve All”.
Ahead on the journey…
Inspired by his journey, he was offered support by some individuals to start a car that travels around the city on the gift economy. So, now Udaysinh Jadav also drives around in a van known as “Sabarmati no Sarthi”. It has the same facilities as the rickshaw and works on the gift economy.
Also, read: This Auto Driver Spent Rs.2 Lakh Saved For His Wedding To Feed 400+ Migrants Daily During Lockdown
His journey has inspired many and led people to serve on an individual level in their own lives. Udaysinh Jadav has become a role model for all those looking forward to walking on the path of serving and volunteering. He also shared his journey through a TED Talk.
In a world where every individual is concerned about themselves and their own family, Udaysinh Jadav has extended his warmth & support towards the whole community of humankind. He has set a live example and implemented the saying, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (World is one family) by treating every individual with love.