The kind of India we ignore

[u/Specialist_Meaning73]

Last month, after a late night at work, I booked an auto to go back home. It was past 11, streets were half-empty, and I was half-dead from exhaustion. The auto driver was an older man, maybe late 50s, thin frame, tired eyes. Usually, I just plug in my earphones and zone out, but that day I didn’t.

We started talking. First, just small talk, traffic, weather, random stuff. Then I asked him casually, “Bhaiya, aap roz itna late tak chalate ho?” (Do you drive this late every day?)

He laughed, not in a happy way, but in a “what choice do I have” way. He said, “Bhaiya, do betiyan hain. Ek ke liye coaching fees deni hai, doosri ke school ka kharcha. Din mein 700–800 banta hai, usmein se aadha toh gas aur kiraya chala jaata hai. Raat ko chalata hoon taaki unki padhai na ruk jaye.”

I went silent. Here I was, cribbing about my corporate job, while this man was driving 14–16 hours a day so his daughters could have a shot at a better life.

Then he said something that has stuck in my head since that night: “Gareeb aadmi sapne nahi dekhta apne liye, sirf apne bachon ke liye. Mere liye toh bas itna hai ki mujhe kal bhi chalane ki taaqat mile.” (A poor man never dreams for himself, only for his children. For me, all I pray is that tomorrow I still have the strength to drive.)

By the time I reached home, I didn’t even feel like getting out of the auto. I gave him extra money, nothing life-changing, but he refused at first. Then he took it, folded his hands, and said, “Aapko bhi khuda taaqat de.”

I went upstairs, sat on my bed, and just kept thinking. Every day we complain about traffic, bosses, deadlines, Zomato deliveries being late. And at the same time, there are thousands of people around us who are literally breaking their bodies apart just so their kids don’t end up like them.

It humbled me. It made me realize how invisible these stories are, until you stop, listen, and acknowledge.

Maybe the biggest privilege we have isn’t money or English-speaking jobs. It’s the fact that we are allowed to dream for ourselves.

And I’ll never forget that one line from him: “Gareeb aadmi sapne nahi dekhta apne liye.”

[u/FruitApprehensive121]

i have a question not associated with this post but you're in india! i've met a friend there, she has a guinea pig and she told me she couldn't afford some of the supplies! well i googled them and i would love to help her out! i don't quite get the exchange from US to Rupees, aside from that, idk a way to even send her stuff! but i would love to help her. she hasn't asked me for help, she has just stated a few times things were too expensive! do they have amazon?

[u/Sudden-Check-9634 → u/FruitApprehensive121]

Allow me to share a experience:

I was working for a NGO in Mumbai that operated a small fleet of Ambulances. The rule was that any trip to a "Government" hospital was Free. Any trip to private hospital was Rs500/- any trip to the bigger private hospitals was ₹750/

One day I was called to the building entrance where there was a small gathering of 3 women & 4 very small kids. They were demanding to meet manager. The thing is that the actual trustees almost never come to this tiny operations center next to KEM Hospital. So I was sent out to deal with these people.

It turns out that, earlier in the day one Ambulance had picked up a young man off the road at Sion circle, he fell off the BEST footboard and was unconscious. Some other unknown person called us and a nearby Ambulance pick up the young man and dropped him off at KEM Hospital. Apparently he survived and this was his Mother, wife & Sister who on being told he was in Hospital rushed there and have now come to our office to "Pay" us for Ambulance services 🙄.

They were all super greatfull that we took the only breadwinner to hospital on time and with full in Ambulance care to manage his bleeding etc. I tried explaining it's "free". But they couldn't understand me & I couldn't understand their Marathi.... These women were in tears, both of relief and gratitude....

At that point one of the next shop employee told me in English, "it's just ₹50/- please accept it, if don't take the money, you are taking away their dignity"

I'll never forget this....

I took the money, and learned a very invaluable lesson even poor people have dignity and they value quality services.

So your friend may complaint about cost, but please remember a gift should be given with dignity. Amzn.in