Bangladeshi taxi driver sets example of honesty

Ever since he left a computer design job for that of a taxi driver at Dubai Taxi, Ariful Karim has been driving people around the UAE.

It is a job he thoroughly enjoys, even though it means staying away from his family in Bangladesh.

Two years into the job, Ariful is happy how his honesty beyond the call of duty has been recognised and applauded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE's news portal -- Emirates 24/7 picked a story about the Bangladeshi  who is now a hero to many others.

Ariful, 28, proudly shows his badge, an honour he received from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of the UAE for returning cash left behind by a forgetful passenger.

"It happened last year, just before the end of Ramadan, when a passenger forgot to take his belongings when he stepped out of the cab. I didn't notice it, and had a few passengers after that. It's when I was taking a breather that I found a paper packet that had slipped between the seats," he told Emirates 24/7.

"It's when I slid my hand between the seats and pulled out the pack that I realised that it had cash in it. I counted it, and it totalled to 2,35,000 dirham. I called the RTA and deposited the pack with the office," Ariful mentioned.

After a day, the passenger approached the RTA and was told his packet was intact.

"I was also called in the RTA and I met the passenger, who was from Iran. He rewarded me with 300 dirham," Ariful said.

He was honoured by the RTA with a badge and certificate for his honesty.

He told the UAE news portal that this was not the first time that he had stepped out from the line of duty and helped. "Often, passengers leave behind their wallet or mobiles, and each time I make it a point to report to the office, and deposit it there."