Anik Mia, a battery-run auto-rickshaw driver in Cumilla, has won widespread praise on social media for his remarkable honesty after returning a bag containing Tk 1.5 million that was mistakenly left behind by a passenger.
The incident took place on Thursday, July 17, in the Darogabari area of Cumilla city.
Anik Mia, a resident of Chowdhurypara in Cumilla, found the bag after a passenger, gold trader Moron Sheel from the Panpatti area, forgot it while dropping his child off at a school in Darogabari around 8 AM. Unaware that he had left behind the bag, Moron only realized it was missing after returning from the school.
Unable to find the rickshaw, the distressed trader returned home, only to discover Anik Mia waiting near the spot where he had originally boarded the auto-rickshaw. In the presence of a few onlookers, Anik handed back the money-filled bag.
“When I saw so much money in the bag, I immediately called my father,” Anik Mia recounted. “My father told me, ‘Find the owner and return it. We don’t want to live off haram (unlawful) money.’ So I went back to the area and searched until I found the owner.”
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He added, “I was anxious carrying such a large amount of money, but finally found him near his home. He was overjoyed and hugged me in gratitude.”
Moron Sheel shared, “I was carrying the money for business purposes while taking my child to school. After returning, I couldn’t find the rickshaw and panicked. I searched everywhere and eventually returned home disappointed, only to find the driver waiting for me. He handed over the bag with all the money untouched.”
Praising Anik’s rare act of honesty, Moron added, “What Anik did is truly extraordinary and a shining example of integrity. He is undoubtedly an honest man, with no greed for others’ wealth. People like him are the reason the world remains a good place. I salute such individuals.”
The story has since gone viral on social media, with many netizens commending Anik Mia’s moral values and calling him a true hero of everyday life.
