Children in a north Calcutta orphanage now have access to clean water because of a Pakistani taxi driver living in Germany.
Malik Mohammed Yaqoob had handed over 100 euros to a Calcutta resident he dropped off at Herford station last October, requesting him to use the amount for children in need.
Apratim Ghoshal, past president and a member of the board of directors of Rotary Club of Calcutta Magnum, kept his word. But that was just the start of Yaqoob’s contribution.
He has since sent 500 euros, a portion of which has been used to buy schoolbags for children and instal wash basins for the 100-odd boys at the north Calcutta orphanage.
“Nationality cannot be more important than humanity,” Yaqoob, 42, told Metro over the phone from Germany. “I’m a Pakistani but I have India in my heart, too.”
The cabbie with a heart believes everyone needs to do his or her bit for the sake of humanity. “To help children on the streets… I have been taught to help the poor go to school, have access to hospitals. I’m from Pakistan but I know our history. Our roots are one, whether it is Pakistan or India,” he said.
Yaqoob trusted an Indian. “I had hired the taxi to go to the station. We realised we were both Asians and got talking. He told me his grandfather was from India (before Partition) and he had heard stories about India. He wanted to give me some money to help children here. He came across as an open-minded fellow who hadn’t asked for my card or phone number but wanted to give me the money,” Ghoshal recalled.
The money was used as part of the WINS (wash in school) project to give children access to clean water to wash their hands and maintain hygiene.
“We have shared photographs with Yaqoob to show him what we are using the money for,” Ghoshal said.
Born in Rabwah near Faisalabad, about 180km from Lahore, Yaqoob shifted to Germany with his parents, brothers and sisters when he was 12. He continues to visit Pakistan twice a year.
Yaqoob said he has been driving for the past 18 years and has owned four taxis since 2009, offering “24x7 service”.
What Yaqoob has done for Calcutta, he has done for Pakistan as well.
“I go to schools there, not in my town, but in places where people do not know me and I like visiting places to help children in schools,” he said.
Over the past few days, Yaqoob has been following the news from both India and Pakistan. “Despite everything I transferred some money even today. I have sent in the past and I will keep sending till the time both countries do not start working together,” he said. “I did it for the sake of humanity, the reason why we are born. Mahatma Gandhi won Independence for Hindustan. Pakistan came later.”
Yaqoob believes education is the key to eliminating hatred and dehshat (fear) and create a sense of oneness.
“If children are educated, they cannot be easily manipulated towards hatred. If a child who gets education becomes successful in life, he will turn back to help others who are in need. That is my mission.”
