By Akshita Changan
At 12.15 a.m. 64 kms away from my destination, with the temperature dropping to 17 degrees, my bike ran out of fuel and came to an abrupt halt.
It was a quiet night with no one in sight. My brother and I waited by the roadside figuring out a way to reach our destination safely. We stood there pale and numb, panicking as we had absolutely no one to call during this emergency.
In a few minutes , my brother spotted a man across the road who seemed to be checking an address on his mobile. As my brother approached him for help, it happened to be a Swiggy delivery executive. He asked the executive if he was headed in the same direction and could tow our bike. Politely declining, the delivery man said “Sir, I need to go the other direction and I don’t want to miss the delivery time”.
Disheartened, we were about to walk away when he requested for a bottle. We did not have any, so he took off his delivery bag and emptied his own water bottle, knelt on his knees, and began siphoning petrol from his bike into it as we stood there in disbelief. He then transferred that petrol into our bike, giving us enough fuel to reach the nearest gas station.
Before I was able to express my gratitude, he headed to his bike. Just as he accelerated, I rushed to ask his name, “Mi Roshan Dalvi” he replied and sped away.
At a time when the wealthy complain about the rising fuel prices, it was extraordinary to meet a simple delivery person who offered his fuel to strangers. His kind and considerate gesture left us in awe. For us, he was an angel disguised as a delivery person. He must have brought a smile to the waiting Swiggy customer with timely food delivery, while also delivering kindness to complete strangers along the way. He knew nothing about us, but he still ensured our safe ride.
Had he not helped us that night, we wouldn’t have been able to reach our destination in time. My brother and I were on our way to meet a relative who was suffering from a medical condition and was scheduled to undergo a major heart surgery the next day.
Over the years, I have heard many stories about delivery heroes spreading smiles but that night I had the pleasure of experiencing one myself.
There must have been a time when you told someone how grateful you were for their help. There were no words that could adequately express my gratitude for Roshan but nevertheless, I wanted to speak to him again and convey it. Upon my request, Swiggy arranged a call with him. I was also delighted to know that Swiggy had felicitated him for his selfless deed. In fact, Roshan had received the honor along with his mother. It must have been a very proud moment for them. And every time I think of it, it warms my heart.
Akshita is a content writer & Swiggy customer based in Mumbai and recalls her experience with a Swiggy delivery executive in January 2022
