KSRTC Driver Bids Emotional Farewell to Bus After 18 Years

KSRTC driver Paul Kurien has completed 18 years of service with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. On his final day behind the wheel, he bid an emotional farewell to the bus he had driven for the past eight years. A video showing Kurien kissing the bus has gone viral on social media, touching viewers with its simple yet deeply emotional message.

Kurien, a native of Kattappana in Idukki, had been associated with the same bus operating on routes connecting Idukki and Kumily for the last eight years. His final day was filled with emotion as he stood beside the bus, touched it with affection, and kissed its front before walking away.

The footage, recorded by his colleagues and friends, soon began circulating widely online. For many viewers, the farewell was more than a retirement moment — it represented the bond that can develop between a driver and the vehicle entrusted to him every day.

Kurien spent the final eight years of his KSRTC career driving the same vehicle on a demanding route, regularly operating services covering the Cumbum–Kumily–Karuvakkulam–Kottayam stretch. Over the years, the driver also became familiar to regular passengers along the route. His final journey reportedly drew an affectionate farewell from passengers and well-wishers, including people across the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.

Kurien has credited the bus itself for helping him complete his years of service safely. He said, 'It was not me who protected the passengers and myself all these years; it was this bus that kept us safe.' This remark offers an insight into why the farewell appeared so personal.

After thousands of kilometres and countless trips, the vehicle had become closely associated with his working life. Kurien's formal retirement from KSRTC is scheduled for October 31, although his last working day took place earlier this week.

The Chief Minister of Kerala has reacted to the viral video, praising Kurien's dedication to his job. The incident has also sparked a conversation about the bond between drivers and their vehicles, with many taking to social media to share their own stories of attachment to their vehicles.

Kurien's emotional farewell to the bus is a reminder of the strong relationships that can develop between people and the machines they work with. As he begins his retirement, Kurien will undoubtedly look back on his 18 years of service with fond memories of the bus that was his constant companion on the roads of Kerala.

The incident has also highlighted the importance of recognizing and appreciating the hard work and dedication of public service employees like Kurien. As he starts his new life after retirement, Kurien's story will continue to inspire and touch the hearts of people across the country.

In conclusion, Kurien's farewell to the bus is a heartwarming reminder of the human side of public service and the strong bonds that can develop between people and the machines they work with. His story will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time, and his dedication to his job will continue to inspire others.