Who is Aslam, the rickshaw puller from Chandni Chowk who suddenly went viral? How does an ordinary driver speak several foreign languages including English, Spanish? Is “Aslam Rickshawala” seen in the Instagram video the secret of real language talent? Is this viral fame changing India’s new tourism identity?
Aslam Rickshawwala Viral Video: These days, a video from the narrow and crowded streets of Chandni Chowk of Old Delhi is creating a storm on social media, which has surprised not only the country but also the people sitting across the seven seas. While on one hand people go to coaching classes for years and sweat to learn foreign languages, on the other hand, in the scorching heat of Delhi, a rickshaw puller is talking to foreign tourists in their own language as if he has grown up there. Currently, a unique star named ‘Aslam Rickshawala’ is trending on the internet, who has become a social media sensation due to his hospitality and magical language skills.
That ‘secret’ video of midnight…which made Aslam a star overnight
This suspenseful and heart-touching story began when a video was posted on Instagram by an account named “Aslam Rickshawala”. Within no time this video was viewed more than 10 lakh (1 million) times and it became viral everywhere. At the beginning of the video, the man confidently appears in front of the camera and says: “So guys, how are you? I’m Aslam Rickshawala. Today my clients are Spanish.”
Truth behind viral video: Is Aslam an “unseen tour guide”?
What happened next forced everyone to sit tight. Aslam turned the camera towards the Spanish tourists sitting behind and started talking to them in very fluent Spanish. His way of talking and his tone were so precise that even the Spanish tourists themselves were stunned. The suspense will increase further when you know that the magic of Aslam’s hospitality was such that when he asked the tourists in Spanish how they liked India, the foreign guest replied lovingly in Hindi – “Very good, very good.”
17 years of hard struggle and the real face of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’
The real identity of this unique rickshaw puller has been revealed as Mohammad Aslam, who has been earning his living by driving rickshaw on the streets of Delhi for more than 17 years. But Aslam is not just an ordinary rickshaw puller who gives rides from one place to another. He plays the role of an unofficial tour guide for foreign tourists visiting Chandni Chowk. While taking the tourists around, Aslam tells them historical tales of Delhi, suggests beautiful places to take great photographs and his favorite spot is the colorful and fragrant spice market (Khari Baoli) of Chandni Chowk. He now has nearly 90,000 followers on social media, and his account is filled with videos of him laughing, smiling and speaking foreign languages with tourists from different countries.
Why the debate started on the internet: A new picture breaking the stereotypes
This video of Aslam has gone viral at a time when news of ill-treatment of tourists or travelers from different parts of the country makes headlines. Recently, an indecent comment made by an auto-rickshaw driver on a female passenger in Mumbai had raised concerns about security. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi himself had met auto-rickshaw drivers in Delhi and discussed their livelihood and challenges like rising fuel prices.
What next? Next flight of Aslam who has become an internet star
Amidst such an environment, this story of Aslam Rickshawala has brought a very positive and happy change on social media. People are calling Aslam the true brand ambassador of “Atithi Devo Bhava”. Internet users say that people like Aslam are brightening India’s image on the international stage without any government help, just with their friendly nature and amazing skills. This rickshaw of Aslam running on the streets of Delhi is making the whole world admire the beautiful hospitality of India.