An Indian man’s recent experience in Pakistan is going viral for all the right reasons, warming hearts online and promoting a sense of brotherhood on social media. Prabhdeep Singh was recently in Lahore to attend a friend’s wedding when he was greeted with overwhelming love and hospitality.
But it was his experience with an Uber driver that etched a special place in his heart. The driver not only greeted Singh warmly but refused to charge him for the ride till Wagah Border as he was “an Indian and a guest” in his country. Now, his story has pulled heartstrings of people from both sides of the border and initiated a conversation about strengthening friendship between both the nations.
“I have taken Uber in 5 continents, but my best Uber experience was earlier this week in Pakistan,” the Hyderabad-based entrepreneur of a private ambulance services company wrote on Twitter. “Ahmed dropped me to Wagah border from Lahore. Refused to take money because I am an Indian and a guest. Waited till I crossed the border. Spoke about love and brotherhood,” Singh added, accompanying the tweet with a photo of himself and the driver tagging Uber Pakistan.
I have taken Uber in 5 continents but my best Uber experience was earlier this week in Pakistan. Ahmed dropped me to Wagah border from Lahore. Refused to take money because I am an Indian and a guest. Waited till I crossed the border. Spoke about love and brotherhood. @Uber_PKR pic.twitter.com/E0XfDvQyCW
— Prabhdeep Singh (@singhofstanplus) December 27, 2018
The tweet garnered a lot of attention online and Uber from both India and Pakistan retweeted his tweet and lauded Ahmed for his beautiful gesture and Singh for sharing it online.
Sometimes a border is just a bridge to bring us closer. Thank you Ahmed and @singhofstanplus, for the reminder 😊 https://t.co/ptZOKSgpaw
— Uber India (@Uber_India) December 27, 2018
What an amazing story of how #Uber brought an Indian and a Pakistani together. Six stars for our legendary #driver partner Ahmed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and special thanks to @singhofstanplus for visiting #Pakistan and sharing his experience. @Uber_PKR @Uber_India @Uber https://t.co/SLt7J9WoNV
— Safee Shah (@SafeeShah) December 27, 2018
Talking to indianexpress.com, Singh said he did not expect such an overwhelming response from everyone. “To be honest, I just shared it to let Uber Pakistan know about Ahmed’s hospitability. It was meant to appreciate him for his warmth and kindness and making the trip more special than it was already. I’m glad to see such positive feedback from people on both sides,” he said over the telephone.
Recognising Ahmed’s selfless act, Uber Pakistan has decided to hold a felicitation ceremony in his honour for promoting harmony between India and Pakistan, Singh said.
Singh added, “I felt the same in Lahore as I feel when I’m here in Hyderabad, I spoke the same language like Urdu and Punjabi, ate the same food… there is so much similarity between both the nations and it’s a shame we can’t experience it more often.”
Stressing that while living abroad, he has seen how close a bond Indians and Pakistanis share, he is glad his tweet “meant as an appreciation for one became a talking point and beacon for positivity”. He hopes his tweet can encourage more people from both countries to visit.
Twitterati too loved the news and hope more such experience can be shared between citizens of both the neighbouring countries and love and friendship can prosper. Many others too came forward to share similar stories.
This reminds me of a Pakistani driver in Washington in the year 2009 who used to take me to the best Afghani restaurants to treat me without ever letting me pay. All is not lost between India & Pak. New generation on both sides of border wants friendship and love. https://t.co/Bb0kvXVOeq
— Rakesh Kr Sinha (@rakeshsinha65) December 28, 2018
An amazing story of building bridges – and taking people on their road to opportunity while spreading love all the way! https://t.co/gu9bOPu1Pb
— Aemad M (@Aemad_Mehdi) December 28, 2018
We appreciate ahmed, also we thank and appreciate Prabhdeep for his graceness to show appreciation for him . Love is mutual.
— I.Ahmad Choudhry (@IttifaqC) December 28, 2018
Brought tears in my eyes, sooner better than later, we hope the border is just a bridge to cross over and whether it’s @Uber_Pak or @Uber_India it will drop us to our destination.
Long live India Pakistan brotherhood. #trade #tourism #southasia #visafree https://t.co/vCDBGuS1Nf— GT Road to Peace (@GTRtoPeace) December 28, 2018
Sometimes, stuff like this is enough to make your day.😊 https://t.co/9ilwI3Sjzx
— Umair Akbar Khaskhely (@khaskheli_umair) December 28, 2018
We need more stories like this. People should speak up and about emotions that bind people, and transcend invented boundaries. https://t.co/XLwxSUtJRW
— Internalised chaos (@TakhtarSimrita) December 28, 2018
I live close to border in Lahore. I hope one day, my kids will cross border to have evening trips to Amritsar and welcome their Indian friends to Lahore. People to people contact is key to safe future
— روڈ کا شہزادہ (@roadkashehzada) December 28, 2018
Even in the deluge of hatred, love somehow makes its way. https://t.co/6BGOtWumSE
— Qamar Abbas Khokhar (@mqakhokhar) December 27, 2018
Similar exp of wonderful hospitality in ludhiana, even attended wedding at hotel we were staying as guests from pakistan. Brides gran wanted sialkot ki mitti.
— zeba raza (@tinker_bell0) December 27, 2018
I was in Dubai in 2015, a driver from Punjab (Pakistan) refused to take money from me as well.. he said we both are Punjabi brothers just a wall in between made by selfish politicians.
— Prince Juneja (@Prince_Chd) December 27, 2018
This story tells us about the millions of people who want peace & have love for those across border.. Thanks Ahmed You’re a legend ❤ & Thanks @singhofstanplus for visiting Pakistan🙂😊 https://t.co/yykjYercq5
— Ahsan Ahmed Baloch (@iahsanpitafi) December 27, 2018