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India Today
12 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Harsh Goenka reacts to viral claim of Mumbai auto driver earning Rs 8 lakh monthly
Who needs an MBA when you've got a sharp eye, the right spot, and a dash of Indian jugaad?It's not every day that a local auto driver gets the internet talking and the attention of a billionaire. But a recent post by Bengaluru entrepreneur Rahul Rupani has done just that. The VenueMonk co-founder claimed that a Mumbai auto driver named Ashok is earning anywhere between Rs 5 to Rs 8 lakh a month. The business model? Holding bags for people visiting the US Consulate in the anecdote in a now-viral post on LinkedIn, Rupani said he was left clueless when security at the consulate denied him entry with his bag and gave no suggestions on what to do. As he stood on the footpath wondering what next, a rickshaw driver waved at him, offering to keep the bag 'safely' for a Rs 1,000 fee. With no other option in sight, he agreed, only to realise he had just stumbled upon a hyperlocal hustle that was far from ordinary.'A Mumbai rickshaw driver saw long visa queues at US consulate- the no-phone, no-bag rule- and had a genius idea,' wrote Harsh Goenka, the RPG Group chairman, quoting the post on added, 'He started charging Rs 1,000 to hold people's bags outside the US Consulate. Today, Ashok earns 8 lakh a month just by offering 'bag-holding' service.'advertisement'No app. No MBA. Just pure Indian jugaad,' Goenka said as he concluded his post. He applauded the driver's street-smart instinct that turned a problem into a profitable a look at the post here: However, not everyone seemed impressed. While several users found the story inspiring, others questioned the legality and safety of the operation. 'There's a locker facility inside the consulate,' claimed one user. Another raised a valid concern: 'You're trusting your valuables with a rickshaw driver on the footpath?'There were also suggestions about expanding the idea. Some joked about turning it into a lounge-like van service, while others saw it as a business opportunity waiting to the comments here: could not independently verify the claims made in the original post, but it has certainly sparked a conversation about opportunity, trust, and jugaad-driven or not the numbers add up, auto driver Ashok's story stands as an example that innovation doesn't always need a formal education or a startup pitch, sometimes, all it takes is the ability to see a gap and fill Reel
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
‘Just pure Indian jugaad': Billionaire reacts to Mumbai auto driver who ‘earns ₹5–8 lakh a month without driving'
Billionaire Harsh Goenka has reacted to a viral claim by a Bengaluru entrepreneur about an auto driver in Mumbai earning between ₹5 to ₹8 lakh each month without even driving his vehicle. The post initially shared by VenueMonk co-founder Rahul Rupani claimed that the driver earned the money by offering to keep the luggage for those visiting the US Consulate in Mumbai. Reacting to it, Goenka called the alleged hustle a 'pure Indian jugaad'. 'A Mumbai rickshaw driver saw long visa queues at US consulate- the no-phone, no-bag rule- and had a genius idea. He started charging ₹1,000 to hold people's bags outside the US Consulate," Harsh Goenka wrote. "Today, Ashok earns ₹8 lakh a month just by offering 'bag-holding' service. No app. No MBA. Just pure Indian jugaad,' the entrepreneur added and concluded his X post with a picture of the driver. 'I was outside the US Consulate this week for my visa appointment, when security told me I couldn't carry my bag inside. No lockers. No suggestions. Just: 'Figure it out.' While I stood clueless on the footpath, an auto driver waved at me: 'Sir, bag de do. Safe rakhunga, mera roz ka hai. ₹1,000 charge hai.' I hesitated. Then gave in. And that's when I discovered this guy's brilliant business,' Rupani earlier wrote in his LinkedIn post about the driver. His post prompted varied questions among social media users. While some appreciated the driver, others were sceptical about the setup and labelled it 'unethical'. A few also claimed that it is illegal. cannot independently verify the claims presented. 'How come no competition for him yet? A vanity van offering lounge kind of services along with baggage holding service will be the next level,' an individual asked. 'What an innovative idea... With such ideas, there is nothing that you can't achieve,' another remarked. A third posted, 'I can't believe the people gave their bag containing valuables to a Rikshawalla. Unlike a shopkeeper, a Rikshawalla could elope with the valuables.' A fourth wrote, 'There is a locker facility inside the consulate. You can put your mobiles and bags in it. I have done this when I was there for a visitor's visa.'
India.com
2 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
This auto driver earns Rs 800000 per month, doesn't ride for single KM but earns in lakhs due to…
Indians businesspersons are known for their unique business strategies. Recently a LinkedIn post about an auto driver from Mumbai went viral on social media. According to the post by Rahul Rupani autorickshaw driver earns in lakhs per month, without even driving an autorickshaw like other auto drivers. He uses his auto for a different purpose which is itself an unique business idea which no one can think of. Rahul Rupani, a product leader at Lenskart, shared the story of the autorickshaw driver who waits outside the US Consulate. Rahul had taken a visa appointment there, and after reaching there he got to know from the security staff that he can't carry a bag inside the building. As per the consulate's regulations, visitors are not allowed to carry their bags inside. Rahul didn't find any alternatives to keep the bags as there were no lockers provided by them. When Rahul was worried standing outside the US consulate then this autorickshaw driver came to his rescue. The driver told Rahul that he will keep his bag safe, but Rahul didn't trust him immediately. But when he found the driver's business he was also surprised. The Mumbai autorickshaw driver was storing bags of the visitors with charges Rs. 1000 each. According to the post he was keeping 20 to 30 bags like this daily. After knowing this Rahul decided to keep his bag with auto driver. Sharing the full story Rahul wrote: 'I was outside the US Consulate this week for my visa appointment, when security told me I couldn't carry my bag inside. No lockers. No suggestions. Just: Figure it out. While I stood clueless on the footpath, an auto driver waved at me. 'Sir, bag de do. Safe rakhunga, mera roz ka hai. Rs. 1000 charge hai.' I hesitated. Then gave in. And that's when I discovered this guy's brilliant business.' Rahul mentioned in a linked post how the autorickshaw driver doesn't travel a single km, but earns from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh per month. Rahul also shared another story wherein the auto driver has teamed up with a local police officer, who has a small locker near the US Consulate, because he has no space or cannot legally keep 30 bags in his vehicle. Rahul added: 'But it gets better: Since he can't legally keep 30 bags in his auto, he's partnered with a local police officer who owns a small locker space nearby. Bags go there. Legal. Secure. Zero hassle. The auto just acts as the conversion funnel. And while most people are sweating over US visa interviews, this guy is running a zero-mile, hyper-profitable, bootstrapped operation. No MBA. No startup jargon. Just pure hustle and street-smart product-market fit.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
This auto driver earns Rs 30K a day– without driving a single kilometre; here's how
Outside Mumbai's US Consulate, where visa applicants face long lines, tight security, and strict rules, one issue keeps causing stress: what to do with their bags. Since the consulate doesn't allow bags inside and there's no official locker facility, many people are left scrambling for a solution just before their interview. But every day, near the entrance, there's a man quietly offering help. He doesn't drive anyone anywhere, but he's found a simple way to earn a steady income– without even starting his auto. The service that starts with 'bag de do' What looks like just another autorickshaw parked near the consulate is actually part of a clever little service. The driver, who likes to keep things low-key, offers to hold on to people's bags while they go in for their visa appointments. 'Sir, bag de do. Safe rakhunga, mera roz ka kaam hai. Rs 1,000 charge hai,' he tells confused applicants, many of whom have no other choice at that moment. This isn't just a one-time favour– it's a full-time business. Every day, the driver stores bags for around 20 to 30 people. At Rs 1,000 per person, that adds up to a daily income of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. From auto stand to storage hub The process is simple. The autorickshaw is just the starting point. Once someone agrees to hand over their bag, it's not kept in the vehicle– instead, it's taken to a secure location. This spot is reportedly managed with help from a local police officer who provides access to a nearby storage space. There's no online booking, no receipts, and no formal customer service. Still, the service runs smoothly, thanks to routine, reliability, and word-of-mouth. An informal setup, built on trust What makes this setup work is its simplicity– and the trust it has earned over time. Many regular visitors now rely on it without hesitation. Rahul Rupani, one such visitor, shared his experience on LinkedIn. Caught off guard by the no-bag policy, he was unsure of what to do until the auto driver stepped in to offer help. Rupani noted in his post, 'He has created a model built entirely on trust. With no app, no office, and no MBA degree, he earns with just his street smartness and a deep understanding of people.' Online buzz and divided opinions The story has stirred a lot of discussion on social media. While some people praised the autorickshaw driver for finding a smart and practical solution to a common problem, others questioned how safe or legal such unregulated services are, especially around high-security areas like embassies. One LinkedIn user commented, 'Your post has busted his business, income, identity, reg. no…. besides celebrating a jugaad, IT evasion, and exposes an unholy nexus.' Another shared a similar experience, writing, 'Exactly experienced the same last week in Delhi US Embassy where they are using their best of mind to solve a Big problem out and charging hefty from the applicants. Still at the end of they come as saviours. '
NDTV
5 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Viral Post Claims Mumbai Auto Driver Earns Rs 5-8 Lakh A Month Without Even Driving, Stuns Internet
A Mumbai auto-rickshaw driver's extraordinary business venture has gone viral on LinkedIn, leaving many in awe. By leveraging his strategic location outside the US Consulate, he's reportedly earning Rs 5-8 lakh per month, outpacing many high-earning professionals like IT directors and chartered accountants, all without driving his auto. Rahul Rupani, a product leader at Lenskart, highlighted the story of the autorickshaw driver who's built a thriving business without driving his vehicle. Notably, hundreds of visa applicants visit the US Consulate daily, only to find out that bags aren't allowed inside. With no official storage options nearby, they often face uncertainty and anxiety about where to leave their belongings. Seizing this opportunity, the autorickshaw driver started a paid bag storage service. He caters to around 20-30 customers daily, earning Rs 20,000-30,000, which translates to a monthly income comparable to that of high-level corporate professionals. In a post on LinkedIn, Mr Rupai explained the auto driver's business model: "I was outside the US Consulate this week for my visa appointment, when security told me I couldn't carry my bag inside. No lockers. No suggestions. Just: "Figure it out." While I stood clueless on the footpath, an auto driver waved at me: "Sir, bag de do. Safe rakhunga, mera roz ka hai. ₹1,000 charge hai." I hesitated. Then gave in. And that's when I discovered this guy's brilliant business." See the post here: To accommodate the volume of bags, the autorickshaw driver has partnered with a local police officer who owns a nearby locker facility. The officer provides secure storage space, allowing the driver to safely store the bags, as his autorickshaw isn't equipped to hold them all. "And while most people are sweating over US visa interviews, this guy is running a zero-mile, hyper-profitable, bootstrapped operation. No MBA. No startup jargon. Just pure hustle and street-smart product-market fit," Mr Rupani wrote. He further called it "a masterclass in solving a hyper-specific pain point," admiring the driver's ability to build trust, ensure security, and charge a premium without relying on apps, funding, or formal business education. He praised the driver's resourcefulness, saying, "Real entrepreneurship doesn't always need a pitch deck. Sometimes it just needs a parking spot." NDTV is unable to confirm the authenticity of the post and the claims presented. While some users were impressed, others raised doubts and questions, seeking more information or clarification about the driver's business venture. One user wrote, "That's not his income alone. He has to share with multiple people, including the police. Otherwise, what stops other autowallahs from doing the same at a lower price? Also, I guess they don't know that there is s locker facility inside the consulate at a charge of 500."
