A while back, the heartbreaking story of a struggling octogenarian couple, Kanta Prasad and Badami Devi, running Baba Ka Dhaba in Delhi went viral. People from across the country came forward and helped them financially which has now become a movement to support as many street vendors as possible. Help has been pouring in for:
- Agra’s 90-year-old Kanji Bada seller
- Kerala’s Parvathy Amma and
- Sajana Shaji who sells biryani on the outskirts of Kochi.
On October 11, Facebook user Vishal Chaubey shared the story of 86-year-old Chhanga Lal Baba who sells Bhelpuri for Rs.5 in Faridabad (opposite Sector 37 community center) and is struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.
Brother & sisters I request you all that – You don't need to go delhi to support baba dhaba just look around yourself…
Posted by Vishal Chaubey on Sunday, October 11, 2020
According to Navbharat Times, his wife and son passed away and his other son is paralyzed. He and his daughter-in-law together earn Rs.6000 per month for their family of 6 including her 3 kids. Rs.1200 goes towards rent and the rest is spent on food, medicines, and children’s expenses. He was quoted saying,
“Only God knows how I managed to survive in this pandemic. In the lockdown, we got ration once or twice while there was no financial help.”
Posted by Vishal Chaubey on Sunday, October 11, 2020
Posted by Vishal Chaubey on Sunday, October 11, 2020
People are lauding Vishal for sharing Baba’s story after which several food bloggers have offered their support to the elderly man. Some people bought him ingredients while others requested his bank details to transfer money directly to his account.
It really is heartwarming to see the compassion and generosity sparked by social media for street vendors all over India.