Meet Aslam, Chandni Chowk’s multi-talented rickshaw puller who stuns tourists with his fluent German, Italian and Spanish.
Traveling is not just about visiting places and ticking off monuments, it is about the people you meet and the experiences you create. A viral video from Delhi proves exactly this. In a clip going viral on social media, a local rickshaw puller can be seen turning his camera to introduce his passenger, a young man from Italy. But it is not just about this. What happens next will surprise you, because clearly the foreign guest looks happy.
viral video
The rickshaw puller welcomes him in English; But the turn comes when he starts chatting in incredibly fluent Italian! You can see the unexpected surprise on the tourist’s face. Entering tour guide mode seamlessly, the driver explains his day’s itinerary in perfect Italian. Before the video ends, the driver switches to English and asks how long his passenger has been in India. “Tomorrow,” answers the tourist. Without missing a beat, the driver joked, “You look clean!” It shows a genuine moment of connection that ends in shared laughter.
meet aslam rickshaw puller
Aslam Rickshawwalla (@aslamrikshawwalla) is a rickshaw puller in Chandni Chowk area. But he is not your regular rickshaw-puller bhaiya, but he gives people, especially foreign guests, a perfect tour of the historic Chandni Chowk area. He is also a content creator with thousands of followers. His profile has several videos where he can be seen showing off his skills as a tour guide. He tells people stories, and must visit places in the area where they can stop, walk, and take photographs. His most recommended place in almost every video is the colorful spice market of Chandni Chowk.In other videos, Aslam can also be seen speaking fluent German and Russian, leaving his guests speechless with his language proficiency.
Guests are like God:
Moments like these reflect the best of Indian hospitality. There is an ancient Sanskrit phrase, “Atithi Devo Bhava,” which basically translates to “The guest is God.” It sounds like a great tourism slogan, but in India, you actually see it come to life in real life.From five-star hotel managers to street food vendors and rickshaw pullers, locals regularly go out of their way to make outsiders feel at home. India can be an intense, chaotic place for first-time tourists. But it is the warmth and curiosity of the common people that usually becomes the highlight of the trip.Being the capital of India, Delhi is usually the first stop for tourists from other countries. The city is filled with some incredible historical places that one cannot miss. And if watching this conversation makes you want to travel, then Delhi should be on your radar. Here are five places in the capital that totally live up to the hype:
6 must-see attractions in Delhi
Humayun’s Tomb: Do you need a break from busy traffic? start here. It is a huge, incredibly well-kept 30-acre garden complex that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Built before the Taj Mahal, its Persian architecture actually inspired Agra’s famous monument. Plus, the photo sessions are great.Qutub Minar: This 12th century brick tower stands 73 meters high above the city. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features intricate carvings and a huge historic iron pillar that never rusts.Gurdwara Bangla Sahib: You cannot visit Delhi without experiencing this Sikh place of worship. It is remarkably peaceful, spotlessly clean and echoes with lively devotional music throughout the day. Make sure you walk to the back langar (community kitchen). There volunteers cook and serve free, hot meals to thousands of people every day, no questions asked.Red Fort: If you want a taste of Mughal royalty, this 1648 red sandstone fort is the place to be. Wandering through its old royal chambers and courtyards truly makes you feel as if you have time-travelled. Get there early in the morning before the huge crowd arrives.Chandni Chowk: If you want to dive into the beautiful chaos of Old Delhi like the tourist in the video, then taking a rickshaw through the streets of Chandni Chowk is an absolute must. Khari Baoli: When you are passing through the crowd, do visit Khari Baoli. This is actually the largest wholesale spice market in Asia (yes, the same Mercato delle Spezi the driver was promoting). Tasting Jalebi and Kachori for breakfast is one of the best experiences you can have.