JAIPUR: He woke up at 3.45 am to board the flight from Bengaluru to Jaipur. Sixty-six-year old Lal Chand Nagpal arrived here on Monday to salute and reward Aabid Qureshi , the honest rickshaw puller who had returned Rs 1.17 lakh he had found on the road.

After checking into a hotel, Nagpal met with the family of Aabid and in the presence of commissioner of police, Jaipur, Janga Sriniwas Rao, gifted an e-rickshaw to Aabid.

Nagpal, a businessman-turned-social activist, who had won 'Sindhu Ratan' award for his work had read Aabid's story - Rickshaw puller returns Rs 1.17 lakh found on road' appeared in Times of India on August 6 and contacted the scribe and wished to reward Aabid.

"After reading the news in Bangalore, I was so impressed with Aabid because if you lost a Rs 100 note these days, you can't expect to get it back. And this man has returned over Rs 1 lakh despite having a very poor financial condition. I met his family and found that they were very humble. It is a good feeling while I gave them an e-rickshaw to raise bar in terms of their daily earning," Nagpal said while talking to TOI on Monday.

Nagpal along with social activist Sabir Qureshi (who took Aabid to the commissioner of police, Jaipur, Janga Sriniwas Rao to return the money) came to the Jaipur police commissionerate and the keys of e-rickshaw were handed over to Aabid by the commissioner.

"I think this is the best example of a welfare state. A man shows honesty and another man sitting in a city rewards him. These are the real heroes of the society," said an elated Rao.

Nagpal said, "There were few friends in Bangalore with whom I discussed the idea. They all encouraged me and also asked me to check the credentials of the man. I am satisfied and humbled after seeing the simplicity of Aabid. However, my only concern is that the people of Jaipur should now ensure that the e-rickshaw I have gifted him should only be utilized to earn his bread and butter. They should not misuse it."

"I thought just money won't solve the problems of his life. I am giving him a source which can ensure him a proper monthly income," said an elated Nagpal.

Nagpal further urged the people of Muslim community who had come to welcome Aabid at the commissionerate that they should work as guarantor to ensure that Aabid should not change his path of simplicity and honesty. "Mujhe bada dukh hoga agar meri mehnat ke paise zaya honge (I will feel bad if my hard earned money will be wasted)," he added.

Aabid and his wife Ameena along with their infant daughter Anam were happiest while they were handed over the keys of e-rickshaw. "I had never thought that good act will fetch me so many things. A day after the news stories on me appeared, I had fever and went to see a doctor. The doctor after seeing me said that he had read my story in newspapers and did not charge a penny as fees as a mark of respect. I will now ensure that I should work hard to earn better in my life for my wife and family members."

Aabid and people of his colony boarded in the e-rickshaw and departed to their destination while celebrating the moment.

