Auto-rickshaw driver returns lost phone

Hanif Mia, an auto-rickshaw driver from Rangpur’s Dangirpar, found a smartphone on the street in front the Deputy Commissioner’s residence at around 7:30am on August 13.

He frantically searched for the phone’s owner in nearby areas, but failed. He could not determine the identity of the owner either, as the phone was locked.

But where there’s a will, there’s a way. After a few days, Hanif took the phone to one Abdul Awal, a master’s student of Carmichael College. Awal couldn’t unlock the phone, but he took out the memory card and tried to identify the owner from there.

From a few pictures on the phone, they realised that the phone must belong to someone from the DC office.

Last Sunday, Hanif took the phone to the DC office in search of its owner. Within 30 minutes, he found out that the phone belonged to Mahmudul Hasan, an executive magistrate.

Hanif handed the phone over to Mahmudul, who appreciated the effort greatly. “He [Hanif] tried his very best to return the smartphone to me,” said Mahmudul.

The Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur, Asib Ahsan, presented the auto-rickshaw driver with a flower bouquet and gift hamper. “Nothing is parellel to honesty. His example should be followed by everyone,” said the DC.

“Many can afford to replace a lost smartphone, but the data inside it is more important and cannot be recovered easily,” Hanif said.