Not all heroes wear capes; some drive a Hala Taxi and make our daily commutes in Dubai easier and more convenient. And like all heroes, our Hala captains deserve recognition, appreciation, and applause for their dedication.
This Ramadan, we wanted to give back in a way that truly matters, by creating meaningful connections through shared moments and emotions that would light up the lives of our captains.
We wanted to reach every captain going out of their way to make a memorable travel experience for everyone, which is why we introduced the Hala Hero Rewards – an initiative that would not only recognize but also reward the efforts of our top-performers.
Giving back with gratitude
To honor our Hala captains, the Hala Hero Rewards was introduced in the last quarter of 2024, rewarding over 100 Hala captains for their top-class service.
Quoted by Rehman Afzal, Director of Operations at Hala, they were ideated to “ensure, recognize, and encourage the well-being of our captains. It’s also about celebrating their small wins and acknowledging their hard work and dedication.”
Among them, Nikhil Pramod Ghatkar outclassed all other captains in the platinum tier for his outstanding performance, winning the grand prize of Hala Hero Rewards.
Reuniting a Hala Captain with family
At Hala Ride, our captains play a key role in connecting customers with their loved ones. So, we thought the best way to show our appreciation was by connecting their families with them.
And that’s when we decided that the grand prize of the Hala Hero Rewards would be an all-expenses-paid trip for the captain’s family to Dubai.
Captain Ghatkar has been with Hala for over 5 years now. In the final quarter of 2024 alone, he completed over 1200 rides, proudly maintaining a 96% booking acceptance rate with an extraordinary customer rating of 4.91.
It was our turn to give back
As a gesture of appreciation and gratitude from all of us at Hala Ride for his unmatched devotion and service, bringing a smile to his face and connecting him with his family was the least we could do.
Ghatkar’s wife, children, and mother boarded what was his mother’s first flight ever from India, making the whole event more emotional.
The reunion at the airport was unforgettable, filled with flowers, hugs, and joy. None of the Ghatkars could believe they had reunited without any plan to do so, and that too in Dubai.
His daughter kept telling him how unreal it felt, and Nikhil Ghatkar was, and still is, “speechless”.
Ghatkars exploring Dubai
Their trip started with the Dubai Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour so they could explore the city, one place at a time. The adventure concluded with a Dhow Cruise and dinner in Dubai Marina, with the spectacular city skyline in their view.
In addition, as mentioned in our recent blog, Must Visit Places in Dubai: Hala’s Guide for Eid 2025, we made sure Ghatkar and his family visited Global Village for a memorable experience.
Following Global Village, Ghatkar and his family also explored the Miracle Garden, and this was the first time he visited these places as a visitor, not just a driver.
This trip was as wholesome for us as it was for the delightful Ghatkars. We are glad we could serve someone from the Hala Ride family to witness the magical experiences of Dubai.
Effortless, every time, for everyone
Back to driving the residents of UAE and tourists, our doors are always open to help you move around Dubai, explore it, and cherish every experience of your adventures.
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To many more smiles, adventures, and memorable experiences with Hala!
