Who is this auto driver in Bengaluru who speaks 7 languages, has 2 MA degrees and once dreamed of becoming an IAS officer?

Time of India

17-07-2025

You expect small talk in an auto, traffic woes, weather, maybe a cricket match debate. But for content creator Abhinav Maylavarapu, a regular auto ride in Bengaluru turned into a whirlwind of wisdom, life lessons, and pure admiration. The man behind the meter? An unassuming genius with credentials that could humble most of LinkedIn.
Double MA, 7 languages, IAS dreamer: Bengaluru's inspiring auto driver
The auto driver, whose name remains unknown but whose story is now viral, challenged Abhinav and his friends with a bet. If they cracked the full form of 'COMPUTER', their ride was free. Spoiler alert: they could not. The driver then schooled them with the answer: Commonly Operated Machine Purposely Used for Trade, Education, and Research. A definition that sounded like it belonged in a classroom, not a city street.
But that was just the beginning.
IAS aspirant, MNC survivor, and linguistic legend
In a casual tone that made the whole interaction feel surreal, the auto driver revealed his backstory. Once an IAS aspirant, he holds not one, but two MA degrees, in English and Political Science. Life, however, had other plans. A sudden marriage, children, and responsibilities pushed him off his academic path.
Yet, instead of lamenting, he embraced his journey. He shared that he had worked in top MNCs, where he claimed the pay was good but came at a soul-draining cost. He now finds peace in his humble ride, connecting with people every day and dropping life nuggets along the way.
And netizens? They were quick to appreciate this man in the comment section. While many were inspired how he embraced journey many also felt bad and said he deserves better than just riding an auto.
Oh, and did we mention, he speaks seven languages? English, Hindi, Kannada, Urdu, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil. 'I speak Urdu just like our Muslim brothers,' he said with pride.
Abhinav wrapped up his video saying the 15-minute ride left him inspired and energised, calling it one of the most memorable moments of his life. Social media agrees, this auto driver may not have cleared the UPSC, but he certainly passed the test of perspective, humility, and grace.