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‘Heroes walk among us’: Rapido driver comes to the rescue of foreign tourist stranded at night due to a Google Maps error

Alone and distressed in an unfamiliar area late at night, the tourist received timely help from a Rapido rider, Sindhu Kumari Rai

3 min readNew DelhiJan 13, 2026 10:14 AM IST

A video of the incident, now viral, shows the foreign tourist hugging the Rapido rider in relief (Image source: @RealBababanaras/X)

There have been incidents in India where tourists have gone astray or travellers ended up in dangerous situations after being misled by Google Maps. In a recent incident caused by an error in digital mapping, a foreign tourist lost her way, reportedly en route to her hotel in Goa at night.

However, the situation made way for a heartwarming display of compassion and hospitality by a Rapido rider who happened to meet the distressed foreigner on the night of January 12 after her app failed to take her to her destination.

The Rapido driver, Sindhu Kumari Rai, comforted the visibly shaken woman and ensured she reached her destination safely.

A video of the incident, now viral, shows the foreign tourist hugging Rai in relief, and the rider refuses to take the travel fare offered to her. The rider smiles, returns the hug, gently pats her, and reassures her by saying, “It’s okay, I don’t want.”

Watch here:

India : At 10 PM, a foreign woman got lost, alone and terrified after Google Maps failed. With no one around, Rapido rider Sindhu Kumari stopped, reassured her, and safely dropped her to Hotel Coconut, turning fear into relief. Salute to this brave Indian woman rider. pic.twitter.com/EFctvbip1J

— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) January 12, 2026

Addressing viewers in the clip, Rai introduces herself, saying, “So, my Insta family is there. You can search me on Instagram – Sindhu Kumari Rai. So, you can follow me there.” She further adds, “So, tell my friends to follow me.”

The tourist appears teary-eyed in the video, struggling to speak as she explains the fear she had experienced. Later in the video, Rai confirms the woman’s safe arrival, saying, “So, guys, maine finally ma’am ko Coconut Grove (hotel) mein pahuncha diya.”

Explaining how the tourist lost her way, she adds, “You got lost on the bridge.”

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The video has garnered over three million views.

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“Imagine being alone, lost, and scared in a foreign country, then someone restores your faith in humanity. Heroes walk among us,” a user wrote. “Genuinely heartwarming. This is the beauty of India. I know where strangers become family when someone needs help. Sindhu is a hero,” another user commented.

“We need more female riders all over the world tbh because not everyone is like me who would probably try to act “weird” around male riders,” a third user reacted.