Anantnag, Jun 7: An auto-rickshaw driver from Khanabal in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district returned a bag containing gold ornaments worth nearly Rs 10 lakh and clothes to its owner ending a family’s anxious search for the missing valuables.
Waheed Nanda, 34, son of Manzoor Ahmad Nanda, found the bag lying near the Harnag flyover at around 9:15 pm on Friday while returning after dropping a passenger in Wanpoh.
“It was lying on the roadside,” Waheed said. “When I checked it, I found gold ornaments and clothes inside. I thought the owner must be searching for it.”
He then contacted administrators of several social media pages and shared details of the recovered bag along with his contact information.
The posts quickly circulated online.
By Saturday afternoon, Waheed received a call from a man claiming ownership of the bag.
“He came to my house with his brother,” Waheed said. “I asked him to identify the bag and describe what was inside. He correctly mentioned the colour of the bag, the ornaments, and the clothes. After that, I handed it over.”
The owner, Mansoor Ahmad of Batengoo, Anantnag, said the bag had fallen from his motorcycle while he was travelling to his in-laws’ home in Dadipora-Kanipora area of Kulgam.
“The ornaments and clothes belonged to my wife,” Mansoor said. “She was staying at her parents’ home for the past few days and needed it there.”
He said he realised the bag was missing only when he was nearing Kulgam.
“I immediately went back to search for it. I retraced my route several times, asked people and even checked CCTV footage, but I couldn’t find it,” he said. “My wife and I were very upset.”
The following morning, acquaintances informed him that an auto driver in Khanabal had found a bag matching the description.
“We rushed to his house,” Mansoor said. “When we found everything safe and intact, we were relieved. We had almost lost hope.”
Mansoor said Waheed’s honesty deserved recognition.
“I am highly indebted to him, such people are hard to find these days,” he said. “Waheed’s parents deserve appreciation for raising a son with such values and integrity.”
At his home in Khanabal, Waheed’s father, Manzoor Ahmad Nanda, said his son had done what was expected of him.
“I am proud of him, but he simply fulfilled his duty,” he said. “Our religion teaches us that you cannot deny someone what rightfully belongs to them.”
His mother, Shameema Akhtar, said honesty had always been a guiding principle in the family.
“We may not be rich, but I have always taught my children to remain honest, whatever the circumstances,” she said. “Money earned through dishonest means does not last. What matters is self-respect and good character.”
As news of the incident spread, social media users praised Waheed’s gesture.
“Honesty and truthfulness are the biggest wealth, and Waheed has shown the way,” wrote one Facebook user.
Another commented: “In this world of materialism, people like Waheed have proved that honest people still exist.”
The Nanda family has two sons and two daughters, all married.
Another son died after an illness a few years ago.
For Mansoor Ahmad, the return of the bag brought relief after hours of uncertainty.
For Waheed Nanda, it was simply a matter of returning what belonged to someone else.
