Foreign tourists often share glimpses of India’s many shades — from its warm hospitality and scenic train journeys to its bustling cities. But one Australian traveller, Will Strolls, recently captured a moment that struck a deeper chord: a reminder that wisdom and dignity can be found anywhere.
In a vlog now going viral, reshared by the Instagram page india_flipside, Strolls is seen riding in an auto-rickshaw. But it isn’t the tourist who steals the spotlight — it’s the elderly auto driver, whose fluent English and thoughtful words have captured the internet’s attention.
Their conversation begins casually, with the driver asking, “Are you from Australia?” When Strolls replies yes and asks how he guessed, the driver smiles: “I have been to Australia.” He then reveals that he once worked as a chef in Melbourne.
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When Strolls asks if he runs a business in India now, the driver replies with words that have since resonated online: “I am not a businessman, I am a living person with a pleasure. I am not a money man. Money is necessary for life, but life is not for money.”
A few moments later, the driver asks warmly, “Do you want to drink good chai?” Strolls agrees, and the two stop by the driver’s favourite tea stall — where even the chaiwala greets them in English, proudly saying the recipe is his own.
At the end of the clip, Strolls offers the driver some money, saying, “This is for your trouble.”
Watch the viral video:
The video has struck a chord with viewers, who praised the driver’s eloquence and humility.
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“This auto driver’s English is still way better than my current manager,” one user commented.
“Today’s lesson: money is necessary for life, life is not for money,” another wrote.
Others celebrated the spirit of the moment. “This is the India we love — full of grace, warmth, and wisdom,” a comment read. “Let’s normalise respecting everyone — you can never judge a book by its cover,” another added. “I’d love to know his story. What made him choose to be an auto driver? What a lovely, kind man,” another Instagram user wrote.
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