Satyawan Gite's auto rickshaw may appear ordinary from the outside, painted in the standard yellow and black like thousands of others navigating Mumbai's bustling streets. However, stepping inside reveals a transformed space that functions as a mobile home, a makeshift clinic, and occasionally even a concert venue.
Innovative Amenities for Passengers
Equipped with a wash basin, mobile phone charging facilities, and purified drinking water, Gite's auto provides services far beyond typical expectations. In 2019, he told ANI, 'You can charge your phone in my auto, there is purified drinking water, there is a wash basin. I also don't charge senior citizens for rides up to 1 km.' His motivation was simple: to offer better service to passengers.
Years later, speaking to TOI, Gite revealed upgrades. 'I have kept peanuts and jaggery in small bottles for the people. It's all healthy. I don't charge a single penny for this... At times people face issues with heat, BP and these things help them. There is also a fan which helps people beat the heat. I have also kept a small dustbin so nobody throws garbage on the roads. There is also a nail cutter which promotes good health,' he explained.
Addressing Commuter Needs
Over years of driving the same routes, Gite observed that passengers often become exhausted, experience blood pressure drops during long journeys, and suffer from the heat. Rather than leaving them to cope, he proactively addresses these issues. The fan provides relief during Mumbai's humid monsoon season, while the dustbin encourages cleanliness. The nail cutter reflects his belief that hygiene matters even in a rickshaw.
Three Diaries of Appreciation
Gite's efforts have not gone unnoticed. 'People always appreciate me. I now have three diaries which are filled with compliments and people always remember me,' he says. In a city where commutes are often forgettable and unpleasant, Gite stands out. His passengers have included celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar. 'Twinkle Khanna had called me home and also greeted me... She told her team to call me home and then she said itna acha rickshaw hai. Then she called Akshay Kumar and showed my auto. Akshay Kumar also sat in my auto and it was such an inspiring thing to see,' Gite recalled.
Commitment to Safety
When asked about safety for women passengers, Gite ensures they are dropped at the correct location and never charges extra. If passengers wish to tip, that is their choice. 'We take care of things in a way that everyone feels safe. I ensure I drop girls at the right place and never charge extra from anyone. If they are happy and they tip it's a different thing but I never ask for extra charges,' he said.
Global Recognition
Gite's auto has also impressed foreigners and tourists. 'Foreigners have also sat in my auto. They click pictures in auto and always tell me 'very nice'. They are surprised. They also take selfies,' he said. In a city known for complaints about service quality, Gite's dedication to providing exceptional service stands as a testament to simple, effective care.
