Sheikh Muhammad Younis/Hyderabad
In Hyderabad city, Muhammad Habib Khan has improvised his autorickshaw to carry enough chilled potable water for people to drink in summer. Among those who sipped water from his contraption and cheered him are Asaduddin Owaisi, head of the All India Majlis-e-Ittihad-e-Muslimeen.
Habib Khan has installed three water cabinets in the back of the passenger seat of his autorickshaw. It cost Rs 800 to fix a faucet on the outer part of the autorickshaw through the pipe. Since Habib Khan works hard to earn his livelihood, he knows the intensity of sun, heat, and thirst.
That is why he took this step because he empathizes with common people and their need to have chilled water in this intense summer.
Assaduddin Owaisi inspecting Habib Khan's improvise auto with a tap
He offers cold water to travelers and passers-by for free. It costs him Rs. 150 per day to serve water to people.
Habib Khan Shastri, 60, is a resident of the Zain Colony in the Puram area of the city. He is the father of four sons and a daughter and earns Rs.400 to Rs.500 per day.
Habib Khan always desired to provide drinking water to general people and it’s this year that he could afford to work on it. It happened when one day; Habib Khan received a water canister from his sister’s house. He started filling it with water and offering it to people.
He would fill the canister with cold water from Islamia College. He got three canisters installed in the boot of his autorickshaw and connected these through a pipe ending at the tap outside the autorickshaw.
Habib Khan with with autorickshaw fitted with water system
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who is also a member of parliament from the city called on Habib Khan’s water outlet and praised him for his spirit of service. He also drank from his canister and hugged him before leaving.
Habib Khan was thrilled and excited about Owaisi’s gesture.
Speaking to Awaz-the-Voice, Habib Khan said that he has been driving for 20 years. He used to carry his water and give it to people for free. Since there was only one canister, the water would run out in 15 minutes. Sometimes, he (Habib) would also go and fetch water.
He says many people have offered him help but he doesn’t accept it. Habib Khan said that people quench their thirst and offer thanks to him and he gets peace of mind and happiness. He said that this trend would continue even after the end of summer.
.webp "Union Home Minister Amit Shah")
.jpg)
