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Mumbai Uber Driver Buys Water and Kebabs for Passenger Stuck in Chhath Puja Traffic

The viral Instagram post is being celebrated as a counterpoint to recent reports of cab-driver misconduct.

Overview

  • Australian podcaster Bree Steele shared an Instagram video titled “Uber drivers in India are next-level icons” describing the experience.
  • She said a ride expected to take 15 minutes stretched to nearly two hours, including about 30 minutes at a standstill during festival congestion.
  • According to Steele, the driver twice left the car to buy bottled water, kebabs and a soft drink, then refused repayment, saying, “You are our guest.”
  • The clip was amplified by national outlets as it drew praise invoking “atithi devo bhavah,” alongside comments advising caution about accepting food from drivers.
  • Reports rely on Steele’s account and do not identify the driver, and she noted previous helpful encounters with Mumbai drivers since moving to India in 2023.