'Can we find him?' Foreign woman is searching for Indian auto driver one year after their chance encounter because she still can’t forget the moment

A small act of kindness during a rickshaw ride in India has stayed with a foreign traveller for an entire year. She has now shared a video of the encounter on Instagram, hoping social media can help her track down the Indian rickshaw driver she met during her visit.

The clip shows a short conversation between the woman and the driver, who apparently refused to take the fare. Touched by his gesture, she decided to surprise him with Rs 2,000 instead.

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Indian rickshaw driver refuses to take the fare

The video was shared by Instagram user givingjoyfully_25. In the clip, the woman asks the driver if he really does not want her to pay for the ride.

He simply replies, “Don’t worry.”

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A post shared by Tara Ingram (@givingjoyfully_25)

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The woman then asks someone nearby to thank him before deciding to give him Rs 2,000 as a gesture of appreciation.

“Tell him I’m going to do something nice for him. I’m going to give him Rs 2,000,” she says in the video.

She hands over the money to the driver, who repeatedly thanks her.

Woman learns about rickshaw driver’s family

The conversation does not end there. The woman asks the driver about his family and learns that he has four children, one son and three daughters.

She then asks him, “Is it helpful for you?”

“Thank you, ma’am. Thank you,” he replies.

Before leaving, the woman tells him, “You’re welcome. Bless you. Have a good day.”

It is a brief interaction, but one that clearly stayed with her long after the rickshaw ride ended.

Why did the woman share the video after one year?

Explaining why she decided to post the video again, the woman said the encounter had remained in her thoughts since her trip to India.

“While I was in India, I met this kind rickshaw driver. When it came time to pay, he told me I didn’t need to, so I surprised him with a tip instead. His reaction was something I’ll never forget.”

She added that the meeting happened a year ago and she still wonders how the driver is doing.

“That was a year ago, and I still wonder where he is today and how he’s doing. I would love to find him again. Can we find him? If you recognise him or know someone who might, please share this video or send me a DM.”

Viral rickshaw video wins hearts online

The woman's attempt to reconnect with the driver has also prompted an emotional response from social media users. Many focused less on the money and more on the kindness exchanged during the encounter.

“Kindness always, always, always wins,” one user wrote.

“Sending love from India,” another commented.

“God bless you, sister,” a third user said.

“You know when you see a good heart. His smile tells everything,” another person wrote.

One comment summed up the sentiment behind the video: “These kinds of videos make me realise that whatever you send out comes back to you. So sweet. The context is not about the amount she gave. It’s about the beauty of ‘do good, have good’.”

Social media wants to help find the rickshaw driver

Several users also welcomed the woman's effort to reconnect with the driver, with comments describing the interaction as a reminder of everyday kindness.

“This is our incredible India. Welcome to India,” one user wrote.

“Am happy for uncle,” another commented.

“You have done a great job, madam. You will reap the rewards of your good deeds one day. Much love to you from Israel,” another user said.

Whether the social media appeal will eventually lead her back to the rickshaw driver remains to be seen. For now, the year-old video has brought their brief encounter back into the spotlight, and reminded viewers how a simple gesture can stay with someone long after the moment has passed.