Cab driver tells all about life behind the wheel — from celeb encounters to a holdup at gunpoint

New York Post - Mar 18th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Khakendra Pun, a New York City cab driver originally from Nepal, captivates passengers with tales of his diverse life experiences and sells his self-published book, 'From the Top of Mount Everest to the Winding Streets of New York City,' from his taxi. The book, which shares stories of his passengers and adventures, supports his Ulleri Foundation, aiming to build a medical clinic in his home village. Passenger Jack Trunz, an investment analyst, found Pun's story inspiring during a cab ride from LaGuardia Airport, leading him to purchase books and donate to the foundation.

Pun's journey from a remote Nepali village to the bustling streets of New York is marked by resilience and diverse encounters. From surviving a gunpoint robbery to driving famous personalities like Patti Smith, Pun's life narrative is one of perseverance. His struggles with the competitive taxi industry, exacerbated by rideshare apps, highlight broader challenges faced by immigrants in the U.S. Despite hardships, Pun remains optimistic, driven by his dream of making a difference in Nepal and the support of individuals like Trunz, who are moved by his story.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The story of Khakendra Pun is engaging and inspiring, offering a detailed account of his life as a cab driver in New York City and his efforts to support his community in Nepal. The narrative is well-written and accessible, with a clear structure that makes it easy to follow. However, the story relies heavily on Pun's personal accounts, which limits its source quality and balance. While the article touches on timely themes, it could benefit from a stronger connection to current events or broader industry trends to enhance its relevance and impact. The story's potential to inspire and engage readers is evident, but its overall impact is limited by its narrow focus on Pun's personal experiences. By incorporating additional perspectives and sources, the article could provide a more comprehensive and balanced view of the challenges and opportunities faced by immigrants and gig economy workers.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a compelling narrative about Khakendra Pun, detailing his life experiences and career as a New York City cab driver. Several claims are made, such as his encounters with celebrities like Patti Smith and his philanthropic efforts through the Ulleri Foundation. These claims are intriguing but require verification to ensure their accuracy. For instance, the story mentions that Pun has sold about 2,000 copies of his book, which could be verified through sales records or publisher data. Additionally, the story's dramatic elements, such as the gunpoint robbery, add to its appeal but require corroboration through police reports or eyewitness accounts. The factual accuracy of Pun's background, such as his upbringing in Nepal and his journey to the U.S., could be cross-referenced with immigration records or interviews with people from his past. Overall, while the story appears truthful, it would benefit from additional evidence to support its claims.

6
Balance

The story primarily focuses on Khakendra Pun's perspective, offering a detailed account of his life and experiences. While this provides depth, it does result in a somewhat one-sided narrative. The article could benefit from including perspectives from others, such as passengers or colleagues, to provide a more balanced view of Pun's character and impact. For instance, while Trunz's positive impression of Pun is highlighted, the story could explore differing opinions from other passengers or industry experts. Additionally, the story touches on the challenges faced by cab drivers in the face of competition from Uber and Lyft, but it does not delve deeply into the broader industry context or viewpoints. Including these perspectives would enhance the story's balance and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the cab industry.

8
Clarity

The story is well-written and engaging, with a clear narrative structure that captures the reader's attention. The language is accessible, and the story unfolds logically, making it easy to follow Pun's journey from Nepal to New York City. The article effectively uses anecdotes and quotes to bring Pun's experiences to life, adding depth and personality to the narrative. However, while the story is clear in its presentation, it could benefit from additional context or explanations in certain areas, such as the broader challenges faced by cab drivers in New York City. Overall, the story is clear and engaging, with a strong narrative flow that makes it easy to read and understand.

5
Source quality

The story relies heavily on Khakendra Pun's accounts and anecdotes, which, while compelling, are subjective. The narrative would benefit from incorporating additional sources to verify Pun's claims and provide a more rounded perspective. For example, interviews with individuals mentioned in the story, such as Judith Wright or passengers like Patti Smith, could lend credibility and depth. The story does not cite external sources or data to support claims about Pun's book sales or the Ulleri Foundation's activities. Including authoritative sources, such as sales data or independent verification of the foundation's work, would enhance the story's reliability. Overall, while Pun's narrative is engaging, the lack of diverse and authoritative sources limits the story's credibility.

6
Transparency

The story provides a detailed account of Khakendra Pun's life and experiences, but it lacks transparency in terms of how the information was gathered and verified. The article does not disclose the methods used to verify Pun's claims or the sources consulted to corroborate his story. For instance, while the story mentions Pun's book sales and his foundation, it does not provide evidence or references to support these claims. Additionally, the narrative does not address potential conflicts of interest or biases, such as the author's relationship with Pun or the purpose of the article. Providing more context about how the story was developed and the sources consulted would enhance transparency and allow readers to better assess the article's reliability.

Sources

  1. https://www.writerkhakendrapun.com/books/confessions-through-the-rear-view-mirror/
  2. https://www.writerkhakendrapun.com/books/journey-faraway-from-home/
  3. https://bookdatabase.online/isbn.php?isbn=978-1-7923-8950-4
  4. https://newstral.com/en/article/en/1264633060/cab-driver-tells-all-about-life-behind-the-wheel-from-celeb-encounters-to-a-holdup-at-gunpoint