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**The Monk** · 02-19-2014, 12:17 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

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Thanks for sharing with us and reminding us why we ride. To experience the strength, courage and beauty of the infallible human spirit.

**rreneav1987** · 02-19-2014, 12:49 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

Originally posted by Deathmate.Zed View Post

Hi xBHPians,

I am narrating a mindset-altering experience I had recently that changed my outlook of looking at strangers with an eye of suspicion. It is their kind and voluntary gesture and also the drastic change in my point of view that I would like to disclose.

I work in the Hinjewadi Phase 2 IT park as a software engineer with a leading firm. I ride a KTM Duke 200 everyday to office which is quite far from my place. 26 kms to be exact. Pune-ites will know that once you leave Hinjewadi to come towards the city, there is hardly any petrol station in the Aundh/Baner area. One day I pushed my luck too far with the fuel efficiency of my bike (I get a very impressive 40 kmpl

and no, I don't ride it like a splendor to acheive that

) and ended up with an empty petrol tank right in the middle of the Aundh village. My bike refused to start and it gave me heartache to realize that there was nothing much I could do about it.

The nearest petrol bunk was almost 8 kms away

and there was no guarantee it would have been open till I reached it ( It was 10 in the night when this happened).
I had just started to roll my bike hopelessly when two bikers on a pulsar whizzed past me. After going ahead for some distance they stopped and came back towards me. They offered to "toe" my bike till the nearest petrol pump. My initial reaction was to politely decline as I was not sure it was safe. I had never even seen a bike being toed by another biker and more so was not sure of the guy's credibility.

Points to note are : It was late in the night. I had an expensive looking bike. These two guys sounded too sweet to be genuine. Looked like ruffians. Were no wearing helmets(I do not respect guys riding without a lid. Seems irresponsible to me). I Was a software engineer which most people think earns a lot(total misconception you know

) and the area I was stranded in was notorious for goons looting IT folks. So you know why I was a bit hesitant to accept their offer straight away.

After a bit of convincing from them(ironic as I was the one in need of their help) I agreed. The pillion set a foot on the back footrest of my bike and the "toeing" started. All the while the bikers tried to strike up a conversation but my replies were politely monosyllabic. Surprisingly they did not enquire about my bike and kept on chitchatting among themselves for a great part of the ride.

A Dozen thoughts were racing through my mind during the entire journey. What if they really were goons/theives trying to loot me? What will they do? Will they push me in a secluded corner and attack me? Will they ask for money when I get down at the petrol pump? What will I do in such a situation?
My heart was racing in this dreadful anticipation. A hundred action movies were coming to my mind and I was trying to recall the fighting manouvers, ready to put them to use if the need arises.

But no such thing happened.The folks persistently toed my bike and we arrived at the petrol station. I sheepishly got down, shook their hands, thanked them profusely and they smilingly rode away. The only thing they said was "We have faced similar situations before and understood your helpnessness. We just did what we had to do

".

That night after I retired to my bed, My mind was racing with thoughts about that incident. What has happened to us? Why have humans become so suspicious of humanity? There were two guys who offered to help me unconditionally and I,who feels good about myself being an educated and responsible citizen, was suspicious of accepting their help? How many times have we stopped without being asked to, to help someone who seems to be in the need? Has unconditional help and humanity become so rare that we refuse to accept that it still exists? Or did I take a huge risk doing what I did? Was I just lucky they were good guys? Should I accept such gestures ahead or play it safe.

These are the questions we really need to ask ourselves.

But that night, those two fellows, who seemed like roadside romeos to me, were the real 'humane' and 'civilized' beings who doubled up as my guardian angels. Appearing out of nowhere and wanting nothing in return, they ensured that a person returned safe and in time to his worried family.

My salute to all such noble souls out there.

Love,
Zeeshan

This reminds me of 2 incidents where in I helped 2 people on bike twice. Late nights.. when I say late nights I mean 3 AM in Noida.. I always loved to help people and that too late nights as they might be scared of being looted or robbed or killed.

I used to work in a BPO in Sector 60 Noida. I stayed in South Delhi which is some ~30 kms from office. This is when I shifted to New Delhi and after I bought my bike back in March 2010. I went past the Golf Course Metro station and crossed the bridge and I noticed a guy pushing his bike and I didn't know Hindi

I just ask him to sit on his bike I will tow the bike to the nearest petrol station. he didn't deny, he sat on his bike and towed the bike to the nearest petrol station. I felt happy helping an unknown person.

the second incident was towards Great India Place Mall in Noida Sector 18 from Sector 126. there are no Fuel stations that are open at that time. this was again in late 2010. before December 2010. there was this guy pushing his Pulsar without fuel. when asked him if he needed help to tow his bike, he declined. I asked him again and he declined again. probably thought I was going to loot or rob him. I left from that place, again a little happy as I offered to help.

now after one incident that took place in Dec 2010, i gained fear to ask people for help. My bike had a loose starting coil connection and it stopped in between any time and any where. this happened frequently and initially, the SVC wasn't able to identify the issue. I was stranded near sector 56 Noida early morning at around 6:45. I pushed the bike to the nearest traffic signal where there was a police jeep with cops in it. I stopped my bike in center stand and removed the side panels, trying to see if there is anything blocking air to enter through air filter and stuffs that we usually check. 3 guys on 2 bikes came over to me and offered to help rather asked what the problem is. I said nothing, I am good to go. they noticed that the side panels were removed. they didn't leave. one guy went behind me and 2 guys in front of me. One of them showing a brand new N97 Mini and asking me if I wanted to buy it. i also had my mobile in my hand Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini. they started asking about the mobile and they said they wanted to see it. I said no and pulled it back. the guy standing behind me pushed something sharp behind me on my back and I did know what it was. he said give the phone or else you are dead. they snatched my phone and bloody idiots took away my helmet too. they removed the keys from my bike and threw it somewhere else.

A little kid saw this, he picked up the key and gave it back to me. I turned to the side and saw the cops just staring at me. I was like WTF. I fixed everything back in my bike and went to the cops and asked why they didn't do anything (broken Hindi with English words). Their response shocked me. they said go to the nearest police station and lodge a complaint. I said FO and luckily my bike started and I tried to see chase them in the direction they went and too late

good thing they didn't hurt me or take away the bike. maybe because the bike wasn't starting they left it behind.

i lost my confidence in people since then and not that I was scared or anything. it is just even the cops aren't ready to help as they get their share from those bloody robbers..

i have pushed my bike to the fuel station twice in Noida both being somewhere between 1AM to 3AM. but initially i was never worried and I never thought people will be this evil. since then I always had my tank full the next second the bike comes to reserve. I didn't want to take risk. I would still help people who are stranded late night. Of course I don't work in a BPO any more to go out during late hours

**nelson_sanjoy** · 02-19-2014, 01:15 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

"Goodwill still exists " yes it still does but just that we have forgotten to believe in it...

**Ron Syl** · 02-19-2014, 01:47 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

2 incidents. in span of 2 months.

incident 1:
stuck on kanakapura road at 5AM.

was riding to meet fellow riders at EC toll gate. took Kanakapura road, which is known for notorious things. it was 5 am, i thought what would happen if my clutch cable snaps. and puff, it did after few kms on kanakapura road, just 50mts away from police station. now good thing was i had an extra cable and had seen the mech fixing it during lat visit to SVC. but problem was it was dark, i had not done it before and alone with few people standing for buses and stuff. now the last thing i wanted was to either get stabbed or bike getting stolen, i had huge luggage, expensive helmet, expensive mobile. took out the torch, tool kit, took off helmet and gloves. got to the job of fixing. i saw 2 police on a bike patrolling and they happened to pass infront of me and never looked at me !! i was like WTF? i realised a stranger was llooking at me and went by, i saw a bus stopping infornt of me and all people looking at me and it went by, and few more office goers waiting for bus looking at me and go by, later i realised that they were thinking that i was a thief but after seeing my helmet and luggage they went by. by this time i was screwed up because the last thing needed to make the clutch fix was not happening. 20mins passed, i finally did something and fixed most of it and got up and geared up. at this time i saw a car, filled with people, looking at me and stopping little ahead in opposite direction. i just sat on the bike n zoomed past to nice road! no police guys helped, no passer by helped and neither asked! had to call up saquib once to ask if i was doing right thing to fix it.

incident 2:
had been for a ride recently. saw 4 women on RE at adigas, kolar road. they started to go back to bangalore, and after 20 mins we started ride back too. at one place me and saquib saw a commotion on the road. stopped to find on of the RE with 2 women riders met with accident, which happened like a min before we reached. their rear tyre punctured, lost balance and hit road divider. luckily they escaped with minor bruises, pillion had no helmet but she was not hurt on the head and had minor bruises on hands n legs and a massive shock which will last few months or years as it was her first ride. since out group was big and we stopped, many locals started to come there. they were being surrounded by few locals before we got there who didnt even lift the bike and shifted them to the other side. when we arrived we took the bike to the other side and even them, administered first aid. and told them we will drop them to their place and put the re in the mini truck. by now the other re which had gone ahead had come back who were in shock too. they initially said no, but we didnt give them choice and they understood the situation. 2 riders took them on their bikes dropped them and waited till the husband of one of the woman came to pick her up.

i think its pretty common to refuse help from strangers now a days, since so many things happen. its only when they accept and reach destination or when work is done they realise it was worth it.

**Deathmate.Zed** · 02-19-2014, 01:48 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

Originally posted by rreneav1987 View Post

i lost my confidence in people since then and not that I was scared or anything. it is just even the cops aren't ready to help as they get their share from those bloody robbers..

That was very scary bro! Good that you were safe..and F**K those cops. It's them who seem scarier than goons nowadays. Due to these instances, people are scared to help others. Sometimes such robbers themselves act as if they are in need of help.

That's why people simply think why to take the risk of helping any guy. Sad

**Divya Sharan** · 02-19-2014, 02:34 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

Zeeshan bhai, glad to know you were safe!

Now, my statement above iterates exactly what the thread is about. I wished you were safe rather than thanking the good samaritans.
I had a nasty incident in Chennai when a group of cops (not traffic police, civilian cops) stopped me at a big junction called Thirumangalam junction near Ambattur. I thought they'd check papers. (later I came to know that only traffic police can check papers IFF one is breaking any laws)
But nope, a cop asked for lift in the same direction I was going. I obliged. This bugger asked to stop near a petrol bunk and straight away demanded 5k rupees as fine for rash driving! I was scared, shocked and wanted to laugh at the same time. I said I'll complain to the local police about the incident to which he said he knows all cops and I won't have a case.

Anyways, my bike was still idling and I sped from there. Very fast! It was 6:30 ish in the evening.

Later that day, I filed a complaint but was not acted upon for lack of evidence. Also, the name tag on the rowdy (in cop disgiuse) was fake (obviously) as no cop in Ambattur station had the same name as per records.

**Samarth 619** · 02-19-2014, 04:51 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

Once when I was returning from Alwar on a one day trip of 500+ kms, a guy asked for lift. It was pitch night. I was on my whole-trip-reliable P180 UG3.

A muffler wearing guy (same suspicious setup as Deathmate.Zed mentioned) on the road asked for lift. I wanted to help that guy but I was scared a bit, I wasn't sure who he could be, as I couldn't even see his face.
Then I thought that when I never conned anyone, why would luck cheat me? A stupid thought. At the wrong time. Still, I stopped.

The guy kept his muffler on and sat behind. I set off. Let's call him "the dark soul". He was silent all the way.
At that time, there was too much construction going on, so there were many detours on the Jaipur-Ajmer Road. I had to reach Ajmer and in the pitch dark, couldn't find the turn that will take me there...

After a while, the dark soul broke his silence, "Aapko kaha jana hai?". (Where are you going exactly?)
I said, "Ajmer".
He said, "Ajmer ka raasta to peechey reh gaya, bhai." (Ajmer's way is left way behind, bro)
I was like... "Peechey". (way behind??)
"Haan, peechey reh gaya. Aap aisa kijiye, aagey se right le lijiye" (Yes, way behind. Do one thing, take a right from the way ahead.)

After a little checking the surroundings, I realised that he was right. I had come on the Bypass- Srinagar road, missing the right turn beforehand. I corrected my route, thanks to the dark soul. And I dropped him near his village house and went on to my house and reached a friend's home, for a birthday party and then, quickly to my home.

So, this way, when I helped a stranger, it bounced back in just half an hour. Strange are the ways of God.

Maybe, I was godsent for him, with a vehicle on an isolated stretch, which delivered him straight to his home.
Maybe, he was godsent for me, guiding me the right way so I could reach home before 11 PM. Who knows I could've gone on and on beyond Ajmer and maybe to a wrong town too?

Reg. my thoughts on the topic:- I believe that, if there remains no BAD at all in this world, the GOOD will lose its value. Only because of bad people, good people get respect. Its like Yin Yang symbol.
When bad people don't stop harming, why should good people stop helping? So, should always help needy people.
As far as anything going wrong by helping is concerned, if luck has screw you, then it will screw you anyways, whether you help or not....

**Deathmate.Zed** · 02-19-2014, 06:20 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post

As far as anything going wrong by helping is concerned, if luck has screw you, then it will screw you anyways, whether you help or not....

A very debatable thought I must say

Is leaving your safety to luck advisable? Or can we afford to be good no matter what ill-luck befalls us?
I would say, keep helping. But be alert, smart and very adept at self defense. 90% of the time it is the fear of the stranger that nullifies our ability to act. We never know if the person who threatens to attack/kill you, can actually do it. What if he himself chickens out when you stand your ground and counter-attack? But we are still scared and give in.

We should always remember, Danger is real, but fear is a choice!

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post

Later that day, I filed a complaint but was not acted upon for lack of evidence. Also, the name tag on the rowdy (in cop disgiuse) was fake (obviously) as no cop in Ambattur station had the same name as per records.

I would never ever give a cop a lift :P

On a serious note, Be firm with these S**theads. Be aware of the rules. I always carry a printout of the pune traffic police webpage that declares all the traffic offences along with the legal fines. And trust me 95% of these offences only attract a fine of 100 bucks!!

Be firm. Keep all the documents on person. (I am sure you already must be practising this

)

**hhsplendor** · 02-19-2014, 11:08 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

Incident 1: While I was on my 1st long trip on my bike to pondicherry in 2011.
While coming back to vellore somehow we took a wrong route (no GPS I had that time, unknown local language made the problem worst) somewhere in between jungle kinda area my bike's petrol tank became empty at 8pm in the evening, but no lights nearby ,no torch light and with a ac+dc setup bike we (me & Shantanu da) were in total dark.
We started pushing our bike , nearly around 6kms pushing we found a cement storage place where 2 trucks and 3-4 bikes were parked , we entered and asked the distance of next petrol pump , they told its near another 5-6kms , force fully they put nearly 1lt of petrol (the guy taken out that petrol from his red HH splendor) in my bike and refused to take a single penny from us , we thanked him and reached next petrol pump ..

Incident 2: while we were on valparai trip , while climbing towards valparai at late evening (8or 9pm) we saw one innova got puncher , but the driver (he was the owner, middle aged and well educated) was not able to change the wheel alone .
Me & sid stopped our bike , did the needful , changed the wheel very fast (we r used to do it while I used to travel on my sumo) ,he thanked us .
Then he asked about our plan , we told that we are on trip but somehow we are late to reach, he told that he runs a home stay and we can stay there (at that moment we didn't ask for the rent) ,we gladly accepted and reached there .
But here we found his little daughter cut her finger some how and bleeding badly at that moment , as from bio-medical student I had to take care of her finger , had to do more that fastaid (I carry most of needed kits ) and taken to a local doctor (the doctor again thanked me for what steps I took) ..
BTW after staying there for 2 days he refused to take any money from us , but we paid him 1000rs (which was very less compared to the arrangements ) and left towards vellore ..

Incident 3:
While coming back from Trivandrum 150kms before madurai (don't know the place name , need to see the map) I saw all the vehicles suddenly stopped , I was on my bike and was in hurry also so I cut the traffic took offroad and reached the root , a splendor fallen down, a wounded man , bleeding badly from left knee , his wife was only trying help him to get up to take away from road .
No other people came to help , I left my bike tied the wound with hanky at first , kept aside his bike , took him to nearby medical shop, did the needful (the cut was needing atleast 2 stitches) pushed tetanus injection .
Though after that I left them in the hand of local people after taking his ph number ..
Though at he only called me and told that he reached his home by auto, consulted a local DR, who had prescribed some med only

Still now I have his number but never called again, may be will do while I cross that place again ..

**rreneav1987** · 02-20-2014, 10:37 AM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

One more incident which likely happened yesterday.. Not being helped by some one but helping someone. I went to Old Delhi Sadar Market with a friend as he wanted to purchase few stuff wholesale. he is from Chennai so he requested me to take him around as he didn't know anyone else.

he is a bit on the heavy side weighing some 130 kgs and I couldn't ride beyond 70 kmph as the load was too much and I could lose control any given moment. I was already late to my home and I wanted to ride faster and I wished he weighed a little less so I can ride faster (we were carrying some 20kgs load along so he was not comfortable as well as me) I dropped him at around 8:30 PM in sector 93A Noida and while returning I was riding at 100ish to reach home quick else my mom would start calling and she would cry.. You know how mom's are..

ahead of me, I saw a bike stop in between and the pillion was frustrated, he got down and walked ahead after exchanging a couple of words. I went ahead of them, saw them pushing the bike and I knew there is no petrol pump anywhere near.. the nearest one I knew of is some 2 kms away. Got the courage (after reading this thread yesterday morning) I turned my bike back towards them and offered to tow the bike, they didn't decline. the pillion rider was going to sit on his bike and I said hop in on my bike (I was carrying an extra helmet). The guy offered to hold my helmet and I gave it to him. I towed them to the nearest Petrol Pump and I could see that they were grateful for the help. The guy on the bike went inside the petrol station and the pillion guy said "Thanks a lot Boss" and shook my hands. then I picked up speed again reached home by 9PM

It feels good to help people especially those who are stranded. but the one thing that still frightens me is we don't know how those guys will react..

**Deathmate.Zed** · 02-20-2014, 12:42 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

Originally posted by rreneav1987 View Post

Got the courage (after reading this thread yesterday morning) I turned my bike back towards them and offered to tow the bike, they didn't decline.

You made my day bud!

It feels awesome that my thread has made a biker help another biker in distress. My salute to you

A small incident occured with me the other day. Although not much to write about, I will still narrate.

I was on my way back from office around 8 p.m in the night. On a stretch of the Mumbai-Pune highway where there are no streetlights, I saw a girl(may be 22-24 years of age) struggling with her bicycle. I slowed down to see what the problem was and figured that the chain of her bicycle had come off. I stopped and asked her what the matter was. She was trembling with stress and muttered that the chain had come off.

Without wasting time in speaking to her(she would have freaked out if I had spoken even a single word more!) I fixed the chain. and told her she is ready to go. She got on her cycle and paddled away, still quite shaken from the episode. Guess she had already freaked out fearing what would befall her on that isolated stretch of highway in the night.

Although, she did not say thank you, I was still glad that I had helped. After all it is the self-contentment that comes from within which matters the most

**Manu80** · 03-11-2014, 11:21 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

These are all quite heartwarming and restore my faith in human nature, it would be sad if we let the bad experiences make us not help other people. I think that in circumstances like this we have to use our instincts.

**Parimal Maheshwari** · 03-11-2014, 11:46 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

Well in a city like Mumbai with the road size and number of vehicles, cars stalling and causing a jam is a normal occurence. I make it a point to park my car or bike, get down and help push the car towards the side to ensure that the person driving the car can get some help and the jam is cleared. I was helped in a similar situation, infact the first day I drove my car, stalled my car because of empty tank, a guy helped me pushed the car to side, then a nearby shop owner gave me a empty can so that I can go and bring fuel from the pump atleast 2 kms away.

Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk

**Divyanshp150** · 04-12-2014, 05:57 PM

Re: Goodwill still exists : How 2 strangers helped me when I was stranded

I am helped a lot of times....
Here is one...
I was a school kid and the street to my school was waterlogged
Sum fathers wer helping there kids get across by carrying them and I was alone...
So a biker helped me get across without wetting my shoes....
I felt so happy and thanked that uncle....all my friends were jelous...that I got to sit across on a bike...in front of them

Similarly years later I was going to visit my old teachers in school and saw a kid at the same spot alone.. a waterlogget street infront of him...I asked If he needed help to get across....and he just screamed he needed his father and burst into tears........
I helped him get past all the water on my bike....
It felt so good and I could literally remember how happy that kid was cause I had been there too
So I got him across and bought him a cream bun from the canteen and went to meet my teachers...we chatted a bit..
ANd got to knw he had lost his father too and ....
Damm teary while typing this
Its kinda a dear incident.

On a lighter note...
Moral of the story: even after 7 years that road is not fixed and it waterloggs in every rainy season.... jai ho bharat sarkaar
Saari ki saari partiya bekaar.... !

divyansh....

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