On the auspicious day of 22nd January 2024, the nation resonated with joy as Lord Rama was welcomed back to His birthplace through the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya—a historic moment of profound national significance. Saffron flags danced along the streets, their colour glowing against the winter sky. In the days that followed, as Republic Day approached, the iconic tricolour joined the celebration, quietly reminding us of unity, sacrifice, and our shared sense of belonging.
It was in this sea of colour and celebration that I noticed a couple standing by the roadside, selling flags. Their hands were shivering from the cold, their smiles tired but hopeful. While the world hurried past, bargaining and buying, winter pressed harder on their thin sweaters. Something in me paused, prompting me to extend a simple yet heartfelt gesture – an invitation for warm tea. Gratefully, they accepted.
They held the warm glass like a gift, as if comfort itself had been poured into their palms. As steam rose between us, their story slowly emerged—soft, hesitant, yet heavy. The woman asked if I could help them with some flour. It wasn’t charity she sought, only survival. I bought a 5 kg packet from a nearby shop, and in her eyes I saw relief mixed with quiet dignity. In the course of our conversation, I learned that they had daughters, one of whom recently got married, a celebration that came at the cost of taking out a huge loan. To repay this financial burden, they toiled tirelessly, engaging in labour at construction sites and exploring side businesses like selling flags just to earn an extra penny.
Life's difficulties became starkly evident in the narrative of this couple. Touched by their struggle, I felt compelled to make a modest contribution. The following day, I returned to them, offering my old warm clothes – a small gesture, but one that I hoped would provide some comfort and warmth in their challenging journey. Sometimes, kindness isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about noticing. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted,” wrote Aesop, and in that moment, those words felt deeply true.
We often pride ourselves on negotiating well with roadside sellers, as though saving a few rupees is a victory. But how often do we pause to ask what it costs them to stand there all day? Behind every discounted price is a life negotiating survival. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
What if, just once, we chose empathy over expertise in bargaining? What if we replaced suspicion with warmth, and transactions with human connection? Kindness has a quiet power—it doesn’t announce itself, yet it lingers. “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward,” Princess Diana once said, “safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”
A small change in us—a pause, a smile, a little generosity—can ripple into someone else’s life in ways we may never fully see.
Pic : Pixabay
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