IIT Student’s Father Drives Auto, Denied Entry At Luxury Hotel: Thyrocare Founder Highlights Society’s Divide – News18

Last Updated:February 13, 2025, 15:00 IST

Thyrocare founder Dr. Velumani’s auto-rickshaw ride from Mumbai’s T2 to Bandra Kurla Complex highlighted class divides as the hotel refused to let the rickshaw enter.

What was supposed to be a casual, ‘fun’ ride in an auto-rickshaw quickly turned into a stark reminder of the class divide in society for Thyrocare founder and billionaire, Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Velumani shared his experience and recounted how a simple trip from Mumbai’s T2 airport to his hotel in the posh Bandra Kurla Complex turned into an uncomfortable reality check.

Velumani decided to take a rickshaw to his hotel, just for the thrill of it. It was meant to be a break from the usual high-end travel experience, offering him a taste of the streets of Mumbai. What followed was not only a ride through the city but also an eye-opening conversation with his auto-rickshaw driver.

The driver, who had been driving for over 30 years, shared that his son was a third-year student at IIT Hyderabad, one of the country’s top institutes. It was a proud moment for the driver, who, despite working tirelessly for 12 to 14 hours a day, was determined to pay for his son’s education. The auto-driver’s dedication to his son’s future was admirable—he worked long hours simply to cover the exorbitant fees required for an IIT education.

However, things took a sudden turn when they reached the hotel. Upon arrival at the star hotel in Bandra Kurla Complex, the security guards refused to let the rickshaw enter the premises. Velumani, who was stunned by the rude behaviour of the guards, was told it was against the “rules of the hotel.” The incident left him questioning these “rules” and the unspoken class distinctions they reinforced.

Velumani was forced to get down from the rickshaw and walk into the hotel, while the driver was left to wait outside. It wasn’t just the inconvenience that bothered him, but the stark contrast between the treatment he received as a guest at the hotel and the way the driver was treated. What was meant to be a simple, enjoyable ride had now transformed into a profound commentary on the divides that often go unnoticed in society.

In his post, Velumani shared his confusion about the “strange rule” that prevented the rickshaw from entering the hotel.

This incident highlights more than just an uncomfortable experience; it reveals the deeper issues at play. It sheds light on the invisible lines drawn by social and economic differences, and how certain rules and behaviours, while seemingly neutral, can have deep implications on the everyday lives of ordinary people.