Bhubaneswar: In a commendable display of honesty, a cab driver from Odisha was felicitated by Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh after he returned a tourist’s lost bag containing gold jewellery worth around Rs 8 lakh and Rs 1.3 lakh in cash.
The driver, identified as Santosh Kumar Mishra (35), discovered the bag left behind in his vehicle after dropping a family from Bhubaneswar at Puri Hospital Square.
According to police, instead of attempting to open the bag or retain its contents, Mishra made efforts to trace the owner. When he was unable to contact the passenger over the phone, he drove back to Puri and reported the matter at Kumbharapada police station.
While he was narrating the incident to police, the tourist contacted the authorities regarding the missing bag and later reached the police station to collect the belongings.
Puri SP Prateek Singh later felicitated Mishra for his honesty and sense of responsibility.
“At a time when trust in public services is often questioned, Mishra’s honesty is a reminder that good values still prevail. We urge citizens to take inspiration from his example,” Singh said.
Speaking about the incident, Mishra said he found the bag while returning to Bhubaneswar after completing the drop. “The tourists had already left. I did not check the bag. My first thought was to ensure it reached its rightful owner,” he said.
The tourist’s family expressed gratitude for the cab driver’s gesture, calling it a blessing in disguise. “It was our carelessness. We realised the bag was missing only after reaching our hotel. Words fall short to appreciate his honesty,” a family member said.
Police said the incident highlights the importance of integrity and civic responsibility, with Mishra’s action earning widespread appreciation.
