In a world where lost valuables often stay lost, an autorickshaw driver from Sreekrishnapuram proved that integrity still shines brighter than gold.

Meet Poozhikkalaparambil Raju, a 46-year-old autorickshaw driver from Sreekrishnapuram, who returned a gold bracelet weighing two sovereigns to a Thiruvananthapuram native who had taken a ride in his autorickshaw.

The incident occurred around 8 PM on Sunday. Murugan, a resident of Thiruvananthapuram, had hired Raju’s auto to travel to his wife’s house near the village office. After dropping Murugan off, Raju went on two more trips before receiving a call from his wife Geetha and daughter Bhadra, asking him to pick them up from the SBT Junction.

Just as they were about to board the vehicle, Bhadra noticed a gold bracelet caught in the autorickshaw. Realising it belonged to one of his earlier passengers, Raju immediately began retracing his recent rides. He visited the homes of those he had dropped off earlier, but when none claimed the ornament, he went straight to the Sreekrishnapuram Police Station and handed it over.

The police soon traced the owner and arranged for the return of the bracelet. In the presence of the officers, Raju personally handed over the ornament to Murugan, winning appreciation for his honesty.

Raju’s daughter Bhadra is a Plus One student at Sreekrishnapuram Higher Secondary School, while his elder son Sooraj works in Ernakulam.