From a very young age, we are fed the idea that we need a fancy degree, a 6-figure salary, branded clothes, a luxury car and a big house to be happy. We place a lot of importance on ‘a lot’ of money, and not on sustenance alone. But as we grow up and acquire all the things we ever dreamt of – those expensive sneakers, high-end electronics, international makeup, a swanky apartment, etc. – we realize that the happiness derived from all those things is short-lived.
Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath took to social media to share the inspiring story of his father-in-law who taught him that a person doesn’t need much to be happy and that being content with whatever you have is the way to freedom.
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His father-in-law, Shivaji Patil, was in the Indian Army and voluntarily retired as a Havaldar after losing his fingers at the Kargil War due to frostbite. He opened a small grocery shop after that and till now keeps running it.
Being content is the only way to true freedom. A person who embodies this is my father-in-law, Shivaji Patil
He was in the Indian Army & voluntarily retired as a Havaldar after losing his fingers to frostbite during the Kargil War. He started a grocery shop in Belgaum after. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/4svEqcQLy8— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) May 8, 2023
He is 70 years old but goes to the local market regularly on his decades-old scooter for the specially abled to buy groceries for the shop. His only help is my mother-in-law, who helps him run the shop and manages the house. 2/5
— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) May 8, 2023
He is 70 years old but still chooses to ride his scooter and go to the market to buy vegetables. He refuses to stop working despite Nithin and his wife Seema’s achievements on the work front. He sells the items in his shop for a very low-profit margin and never demands much nor complains.
He refuses to stop working, even with the success Seema and I have had. When I ask him about margins for various products in the shop, there is still a twinkle in his eye. He speaks about a 25% margin on chikkis, buying a box at Rs 200 & selling them individually for Rs 250. 3/5
— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) May 8, 2023
I have never seen him wanting something or complaining, not even about losing his fingers in the war.
Although, he did try to convince me to get a government job when I asked him permission to marry his daughter in 2007 when I was still struggling😬 4/5
— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) May 8, 2023
Not just Kamath, many of us keep trying to find ways to live a happy and healthy life. The answer does not lie in a special kind of diet or a workout regime. Instead, there’s a very simple solution.
I have been geeking out about increasing healthspan or how to live a good life until the end.
I have no doubt that the answer is to be content and never stop being active mentally and physically. Money can’t buy this, and he is the best example. 5/5
— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) May 8, 2023
The story of Nithin Kamath’s father-in-law resonated with several people on social media who showered a lot of love in the comments section. Have a look:
What a wonderful post full regards and admiration to him
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) May 8, 2023
What a man ! Inspite of all the financial success you’ve had, he still chooses to be his own man…how inspiring and spectacular is that ! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
— Mandar Natekar (@mandar2404) May 8, 2023
This is a wonderful story, Nithin. One of the many unsung heroes of modern India.
God bless the veteran & thank you for sharing this. 🇮🇳
— Suraj Balakrishnan (@SurajBala) May 8, 2023
Wealth is not measured by material possessions, but rather by a state of inner peace & satisfaction. Contentment is the real wealth. Few will understand this in their lifetime.
Bravo 👏👏
— Sarang Sood (@SarangSood) May 8, 2023
What a humbling and eye opening writeup, God bless such heroes. I will keep these learnings close to my heart 🫡
— aman kharbas (@aman_kharbas) May 8, 2023
What a simple yet powerful story!