Aneel Murarka In an unforgettable gesture that turned heads and touched hearts on the streets of Andheri Lokhandwala this Raksha Bandhan, philanthropist Dr Aneel Kashi Murarka surprised an unsuspecting Sarika Mestry - a spirited woman who has been driving a rented auto to support her cancer-stricken husband and two young daughters, with an auto rickshaw of her very own.
What began as a seemingly ordinary day for Sarika ended in overwhelming emotion as Dr Murarka, known for his grassroots activism, unveiled the brand-new vehicle, along with her who was visibly unable to contain her sheer joy. The auto, decorated for the occasion, was presented to Sarika near the very streets where she has been driving for the past 4.5 months.
Sarika’s husband, an auto driver himself, is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. To keep the family afloat and ensure her daughters’ future doesn’t come to a halt, Sarika took the wheel, quite literally, and began driving a rented auto. But with steep rental costs eating into her daily earnings, she was often left with little to take home.
Palash Dutta who was heart broken since the news came out about Asha Tai's passing away
Apr 14, 2026For Dr Murarka, whose social enterprise Ample Missiion has been quietly transforming lives across India - from building crematoriums to uplifting tribal artists, from empowering acid attack survivors to addressing pothole-related fatalities, this gesture was personal. “Sarika reminded me of what true grit looks like,” shared Dr Murarka. “I didn’t want her to keep paying forward endlessly. I want her to keep every rupee she earns… for her home, for her children, for herself. The greatest joy in life for anyone is to be independent and I wanted to gift her precisely that.”
Sarika, who was seemingly overwhelmed by the moment, said, “Mujhe samajh hi nahi aa raha main kya bolu, Rakshabandhan ke din par mere bade bhai jaise Aneel ji ne yeh tohfa dekar meri zindagi ka sabse bada sapna poora kiya hai.”
In an emotional moment, Sarika tied a rakhi to Dr Aneel Kashi Murarka, sealing the gesture with the bond of a brother and sister.
A Voice That Refused to Fade, Yet Left Us in Silence: Remembering the Eternal Magic of Asha Bhosle
Apr 12, 2026In the end, with a heart full of gratitude, Sarika invited Dr Murarka to join her for the very first ride in her new auto… a short but emotional drive through the lanes of Andheri that she knew so well, now filled with a quiet sense of triumph and a ray of hope for new beginnings.
