During the pandemic when many people’s sources of income and livelihoods are in jeopardy, various people have been stepping up to help and support those around them. For instance, a Chennai man reading 3 newspapers daily just to find and help those in need, or Indore locals restocking a 14-year old boy’s egg cart after it was toppled by officials.
As per a report in TOI, 23-year old India winger, Lallianzuala Chhangte saved a local sweet shop from shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the sweetest way possible. Located in his hometown Lunglei village in Mizoram, the footballer purchased gulab jamuns in bulk and used it in an innovative way to organize a ‘Gulab Jamun Cup’.
Times Now reports that Chhangte was close to the owner’s family as the shop was located near the ground where he used to go for his training. He explains, “I still remember the uncle used to try newer sweets and share them with us first. While coming back from school, I used to have lunch at his place almost every day. They are so close to my heart.”
He continues, “After the lockdown was eased off to some extent, I took due permission from the authorities and started going out for training. Then, I found how tough their lives have been. Their pain was constantly haunting me.”
He proceeded to gather some other youngsters who were part of various Indian Super League and I-League reserve teams and started training. “After training the entire week, we started to schedule competitive matches on the weekends. I shared an idea of keeping a prize. Who doesn’t want to win something after breaking a sweat?”
Since the sweet shop was particularly renowned for selling gulab jamuns, Chhangte chalked up a plan to utilize that to revive their business. He explains, “Their gulab jamuns have earned from far and wide, and when I shared this proposition of getting the same as the bounty, everyone loved the idea. Thus, the Gulab Jamun Cup saw the light of the day.”
“Having sweets is not allowed for us under any circumstance, but this is one way we have thought of helping out the shopkeeper here. If buying sweets can bring back the smile for him and his family then why not,” he said.
He continues, “It was a win-win situation for us. We could motivate more people to join us and play which would, in turn, be better for us all. On the other hand, buying sweets for so many people would help the shopkeeper’s family to sustain.”
Chhangte re-iterates, “As footballers, we are not allowed to have gulab jamuns at all. We mainly share them with our family and friends. If any player swallows one, we make sure he runs a couple of extra laps that day. It’s the perfect icing on the gulab jamun, isn’t it.”
Know any other similar acts of kindness? Tell us!