Life comes a full circle: In emotional reunion, M'luru journo meets long-lost, 103-year-old driver


Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 21: Journalism sometimes is a rewarding experience and many journalists make a note of it in ‘Reporter’s dairy’ or share the same on social media. One such story, of a Mangaluru correspondent meeting his family driver after 28 years by pure coincidence has touched many hearts.

Harsha Raj Gatty, of media firm Story Infinity and also a contributor for Daijiworld, had gone to meet 103-year-old Michael D’Souza for an interview, after he came to know he still drives his car with a valid license and probably is one of the oldest drivers in the country.

"I saw a Facebook post about this 103-year-old man and thought it would be an interesting story to write about his driving experiences and got an appointment to meet him at rationalist Narendra Nayak's house," Harsha said.

However, an hour down the line, during the course of the interview, Harsha was shocked when he realized that the person he was interviewing was in fact his family driver 28 years ago, and had driven him around when he was a two-year-old toddler.

"In 1989, we moved from Parkala to Mangaluru, and Michael stayed behind in Manipal. I remember he used to always give me orange colour chocolates. I did not have his picture and most of the things I remember are from a few incidents my mother told me and some faded memories. I realized that he was the same person when he started fumbling names of the localities, my relatives and parents during the course of the interview," he says.

Meanwhile, Harsha's wife Sandhya says what was supposed to be just another interview turned out to be an emotional reunion.

"Ten years back, Harsha had taken me to Parkala to show the home he lived in as a baby and then went on asking people around for Michael. Some residents said that he had gone back to his hometown and some said that he was already nearing 80 then and may not be alive. However, little did we realize that this 103-year-old Michael would turn out to be Harsha’s very own Michael Ajja," she says.

Meanwhile, Michael in spite of his age remembers Harsha and his family very well. "As a toddler, he used to always come running towards the car and sit on my lap and demand that I take him around and I always obliged. I am overwhelmed to know he is the same boy," he says.

As a matter of fact, Michael after the Saturday’s interview insisted on driving Harsha around for old time’s sake.

"I don't know whether to call it luck or co-incidence or circle of life. I am very glad that I met him and got a chance to interview him," Harsha said.

At 103-years, Michael has 85 years of driving experience, and is probably one of the oldest drivers with a valid driving license in India. Born on October 16, 1914 in Ooty, Michael was a soldier in the British Army and World War II veteran.

He later joined public works department under Madras Presidency and because of his expertise in driving any type of vehicle, used to operate the road-roller and says he has laid asphalt for the very first time on some of Mangaluru and Udupi roads.

After retiring from PWD, he took up jobs as driver for many people. "I first started driving when I was 18 years old. It has been 85 years since then and I don’t plan on giving up my keys till the lord sends me his vehicle," he says.

Michael was married to Eliza D’Souza and lived a happy married life for over 60 years. The couple didn’t have children and considered Michael’s brother’s children as their own. Eliza died in 2012 at the age of 83.

Ever since, Michael lives alone in his house in Hathill. He wakes up at 4 am, does all his household chores and sets out to work as a driver. "I don’t have any age related ailments. I eat rice, curd, chapatti and curry. I have stopped eating non-veg food as it is difficult to digest," he says.

He does not plan on taking retirement and believes that the mantra to a healthy life is being active. "I do all my chores and prefer to take the stairs than elevator even if it is the top most floor," he says.

In his driving career, he has been penalized only once, three months ago for not wearing seat-belt. "I promptly went to pay the challan and the inspector laughed and sent me back. He said he will pay it on my behalf," he says with a smile.

Michael's license is valid till 2019. "Last time, the RTO inspector in jest told me that I should come back to renew the licence and pass the fitness test in 2019. Let’s see if I live till then," he laughs.

 

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Comment on this article

  • Laveena (Dias) Passanha, Parkala /Muscat

    Thu, Feb 22 2018

    Nice to see Ajja even at this age. He looks the same as I saw him 30 years ago. He was Mr. Diwaker Gatty's driver and used to drive their jeep. Ajja used to take their children Swati and Sourabh to school by jeep. Lively man. Always smiling. He would never take of his cap no matter how much we used to plead with him.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lilly Lewis, Uppoor Thane

    Thu, Feb 22 2018

    I WISH GOOD HEALTH TO MICHAEL BABA.GOD BLESS YOU

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ismail, Moodbidri

    Thu, Feb 22 2018

    Very interesting! May God give him good health.

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cliffy, Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 22 2018

    Very inspiring story. Wish Michael Aaab good health and happiness. Great to know, work until you die keeps your mind and body healthy and happy. Thanks Daiji and Harsha.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jane Aranha, Mangalore/Dubai

    Thu, Feb 22 2018

    Michael Sir needs an award.
    God Bless him.

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Navin Shetty, Manipal/ Bahrain

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    There are two more articles Daiji had published in 2014. May god bless you sir.

    http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=269636
    http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=272931

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Haneef, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Golden boys always natural and healthy.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • VR, Udupi

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Michael still looks much healthier. He is also a living proof of eating the right kind of food and right amount of food is important for a healthy living regardless of age. Some say 80% of the health revolves around eating the right food and the remaining 20% is doing physical activity. Wish you Michael many more years of healthy and happy living!

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jimmy Noronha, Lucknow.

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    It is very interesting to read about Michael and that he is still drives at this age of 103. However, what really surprises me is that he gets up at 4.30 and does he daily chores. Really a great inspiration to all who knows Michael.

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • L N Rego, Bendur

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Only Daiji can do such wonderful acts of love and find lost relationships. I feel this may be the sole reason why people love and like this website world around. May god grant good health to Mr Micheal and all the very best to Harsha Gatty..

    DisAgree [3] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Commendable fitness to drive the vehicle in this old age of 103 years

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • SUNNY DSOUZA, MARNIMIKATTE MANGALORE

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    What a Coincidence like a filimy style may God give him good health

    DisAgree Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Florine Dsouza, Kelarai

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    May God grant him good health..hope he will be successful in renewing his license

    DisAgree Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • sri_elder, Karkala

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Enjoyed reading...
    Truly very motivational story of Michael...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ashok Shetty, BENGALURU

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    May lord give Michael ajja, good health so that he can renew his Driving License in 2019.

    DisAgree Agree [70] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishwa, Parkala/Mumbai

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Thanks Daiji - through your earlier article I was able to speak to Michael Uncle .
    As said - he instantly remembered me.. while I was referring to way back 1986 period - while I was studying there... He used to frequent to my Uncle's shop with his Jeep & he had always lil kids around him. Happy to hear about his Good Health
    Lets pray for Long & Good Health to Michael Maam !

    DisAgree [1] Agree [61] Reply Report Abuse

  • Delsy Rodrigues, Mangalore/ Kinnigoli

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    You are simply great.. positive nd cool person Aba..May God bless you with good health

    DisAgree Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan Patrao, Traffic Warden, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Beautiful reunion.

    DisAgree Agree [46] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hidnustatni, Manipal/Dubai

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    God Bless Micheal Ajja

    DisAgree Agree [51] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stan, Udupi/Dubai

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    103 and driving. Positive thoughts have kept him alive in healthy condition. May almighty god bless him with many more years.

    DisAgree Agree [48] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ashok, manglore

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Long Live Micheal Aaba.
    God Bless

    DisAgree Agree [62] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Probably Mr Michael D'Souza's Military type discipline kept him in good health and spirit... Keep it up SIr.. Best Wishes ..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [75] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jenifer, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Very endearing. I wish good health to Michael Aab.

    And, big thank you to Harsha to bringing this to us readers' notice.

    DisAgree Agree [57] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev Kumar, Mangalore/New Delhi

    Wed, Feb 21 2018

    Parkala is still not developed remain same from many years. You will still see two black cows grazing here and there. There are not much shops around. Only one lodge appeared as of liquor king. One township come having many residental flats...occupied mainly by students of manipal institutions. One side is herga..nearby bellampalli..if you go further will see a river.
    Orange color chocalates still available in small shops..for childrens still feel good.
    Childhood memories are always good and rejunvete our memory towards freshness.
    Feel proud still michael dattu driving..and concerned authorities renewing his licence now and then. God bless him.

    DisAgree Agree [82] Reply Report Abuse


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