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29 March 2024

Italian mom loses purse with ticket money… Indian driver returns it

Published
By By VM Sathish

Rasheed Pericheri was going to the nearest mosque to offer prayers one Ramadan evening when he came across a small blue purse lying on the pavement near the Arabian Furniture Showroom, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi.

The 36-year-old Indian, felt it heavy, opened it and was surprised to see several credit cards, Dh500 notes and other documents.

Pericheri then took it upon himself to make sure the bag was returned to its rightful owner.

What Pericheri did not know at the time that the owner of the purse was an Italian expatriate mother of two, whose husband was still recovering from a heart-attack.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, Elvira, says she lost the purse containing all her UAE and Italian documents and the money to buy air tickets for herself and her two children to join her husband in Italy.

“I was in a hurry crossing the busy road with my 10-year-old son when the purse slipped out from my handbag which was open.

“I did not notice it immediately, but when I realised that the purse was missing, I went back to the spot but could not find anything. I went to the nearest police station and made a complaint.”

“I was carrying Dh 25,000 to buy three tickets for me and my two sons to fly to Italy. My husband, an engineer in Abu Dhabi had a heart attack and we had to repatriate him to Italy.

“He has still not recovered and is in a coma. I am so grateful to Rasheed, who took the pain to track me down and hand over the purse.”

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, Pericheri says: “I managed to get the contact details of the driving licence from the Traffic Department. I handed over the purse to the lady after verifying her credentials.

“When I called her to inform her that I had found the purse, with the money, she began crying.”

“She said a big thank you and gave me some money also as a gesture of gratitude,” he added.