Lucknow, Oct 29 (DHNS): It was a Diwali bonanza for poor Maniram, a rickshaw puller, who dropped Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's residence after Sharma’s car got stuck in traffic.

Maniram, in return, was rewarded with a house, an e-rickshaw and Rs 6,000 in cash in the state capital.

According to the sources, Sharma, who was bestowed the prestigious Yash Bharti Award here on Thursday, was on his way to Akhilesh’s official residence, when his vehicle got stuck in traffic.

Realising that he could be late for the meeting, Sharma hired a rickshaw to reach the chief minister’s house in Kalidas Marg.

Maniram wanted to leave the Paytm CEO at the gate but the latter asked him to take him inside. 

The puzzled security personnel allowed the rickshaw inside after extensive checking.
The rickshaw puller, who hails from Raebareli district, was about to leave when Akhilesh came to him and enquired about his financial condition. 

The chief minister provided him an e-rickshaw, cash and a house. 

Maniram was also promised pension under the government-sponsored Samajwadi Pension Scheme.

Akhilesh later shared a picture showing the rickshaw puller at his residence with the Paytm CEO on his Facebook page.