#29: Sending Diwali ki mithai to UPSC aspirants made me cry!
An emotional story of what aspirants told me on getting sweets on Diwali.
Yesterday evening, I was sitting in my room thinking of a Diwali that I had spent alone. It left a chill running my down spine for how I felt that year. I am stronger today to deal with loneliness on any event but back in the day, I was not!
Suddenly, I realized that some aspirants who support my work on Twitter might be alone, too. I posted this on Twitter and what followed next is an experience that I will never forget.
It made my Diwali memorable. How? Read on!👇
I sent sweets to some 30-35 people. While I received ample love from aspirants who got the sweets, one story is stuck with me.
I will tell you the story of this one guy in a small town of UP: Etah.
He shared his address and on running some google searches, I was certain I can’t get something delivered to his place. Conveyed it as it as and asked if there’s any other way.
“"Areyy koi baat nahi sir, aapne poocha itna hi bahaut hai mere liye toh” (Translation: This is okay, sir. You asking is enough for me!)
While I took it on his face value but still I gave him an offer:
“Try this: Go and eat anything of your choice which costs ₹80-₹120 at a shop near you and I’d pay for it via UPI”
He was reluctant but then suddenly, he agreed. I do not know what got him to agree. While I got busy sending mitahi to others, (and sort of forgot about him) he texted back again.
“Sir, maine 16 ki Balu Shahi khayi hai. (Translation: Sir, I ate sweets worth ₹16)
I realized he’s too shy (or self respecting) to mention money. I politely paid for his Balu Shahi and went back to tracking or paying for other orders.
I was sure surprised and appreciative of his honesty, tho. He could have bought anything for 80-120 but chose to settle only for one that costs 16. However, I was too busy to tell him that. I was clearing other orders when I suddenly heard from him again. And it is this message that I writing this post for! It is stuck with me since then.
“Sir aap mere liye bhagwan ho. Mere gher me 3 death hogayi thi second wave me. 2 saal se Diwali par kuch khaas kiya nahi, kisi se mila bhi nahi. Do saal me pehli baar diwali hai jab koi mithai khilaya mujhe. Meri Diwali badi karne ke liye thank you sir”
Translation: Sir, you are god to me. I lost 3 family members in second wave (of COVID19) and have not celebrated this and previous Diwali. Have not even met anyone. It is first time in two years someone gave me sweets. Thank you for making my Diwali big.
THIS GUY CALLED ME GOD FOR JUST ₹16 SWEETS? WHAT? WHAT DID I JUST READ?
Just to confirm, I read his text again. And then again. and then AGAIN.
On Diwali 2022, some guy called me GOD because I paid for his one Balu Shahi. I sure understand the sentiment behind his story. He had been living alone dealing with pressure of studies and losing 3 loved ones one after other.
Honestly, I have been thinking about it since then. It is constantly on my mind. I sure wished him Diwali with a thanks but I still do not have words to describe what I felt!
My gesture earned a lot of appreciation from people who got the sweets and everyone who read that tweet but this response was something else. I told about it to my father and he smiled, too. Clearly, he was short of words as well. Sigh, Happy Diwali, folks. Spread as much kindness as you can. The world needs a lot of it! CLEARLY.
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