There is no denying that social media is a double-edged sword and has revolutionized the way we live and communicate in today’s world. While it can be used to spread misinformation, its benefits are manifold – it can be used as a powerful tool to make the world a better place.
Here is a story that reinforces the power of social media and how, when used in the right manner, it can transform people’s lives for the good.
Recently, a post by Gaurav Vasan, a Delhi-based food blogger, sharing the plight of an elderly couple in the Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi went viral. The octogenarian couple ran a small business of selling home-cooked meals from a tiny kiosk called ‘Baba Ka Dhaba’ (Baba’s kiosk) for three decades. However, their business ran into rough weather due to the coronavirus pandemic. People stopped eating food from roadside stalls and the couple were hardly making any money – they were not even earning enough to purchase supplies for the next day.
In the video, 80-year-old Kanta Prasad and his wife Badami Devi were in tears, describing their plight in these tough times. When asked how much they earned in the day, the couple showed a few 10 rupee notes.
“So guys I went to #MalviyaNagar and found these very old couple working hard to earn a living, when I went there and saw them struggling, I couldn’t stop but cried. They said they start early at 6.30 am and by 1.30 am they could only earn Rs 60/- #VocalForLocal,” Gaurav wrote on social media.
So guys I went to #MalviyaNagar and found these very old couple working hard to earn a living, when I went there and saw them struggling, I couldn't stop but cried. They said they start early at 6.30 am and by 1.30 am they could only earn Rs 60/- #VocalForLocal pic.twitter.com/avyXXVaMF2
— Gaurav Wasan (@gauravwasan08) October 8, 2020
The within hours of being posted online, the video was shared by celebrities, leaders, food bloggers, and other famous people, urging people to visit the stall and purchase a meal.
And soon enough, the stall was swamped with people and saw queues of customers waiting to buy the delicious food that included rice, rotis (Indian bread), lentils, and curries. The place was so full of customers that Prasad had to close the stall early after being run out of supplies.
Power of Social Media! 🙏🏻#BabaKaDhabha pic.twitter.com/YU81vr0dDH
— Ashutosh🇮🇳 (@iashutosh23) October 8, 2020
Roses are Red
Violets are blue
I am at "Baba Ka Dhabha"
Where are you?? #BABAKADHABA https://t.co/SL780XCru9 pic.twitter.com/qqdPddO7VV— Ashutosh🇮🇳 (@iashutosh23) October 8, 2020
The famous food delivery app Zomato also tweeted that the store was now listed on its platform and that it was working with the couple to begin online deliveries.
“We are very happy with the number of customers that are turning up now. We are grateful for the public support,” said Kanta Prasad. His wife added, “During the lockdown months we could not sell anything. We struggled to survive but today we are flooded with customers. We want to give our blessings to all those who helped us.”
Apart from the help received from the general public, the couple also got help from Somnath Bharti, the member of the legislative assembly from the area, who wrote that he would soon initiate a drive to help people in similar situations.
.@RICHA_LAKHERA .@VasundharaTankh .@sohitmishra99 .@sakshijoshii .@RifatJawaid .@ShonakshiC .@TheDeshBhakt Visited "Baba Ka Dhaba" n hv done d needful to bring SMILE on their faces as promised. Will take care of them n I am starting a drive 2 take care of similarly placed people. pic.twitter.com/S9A94AmJxK
— Adv. Somnath Bharti (@attorneybharti) October 8, 2020
Overwhelmed and awe-struck by all the love and support, Kanta Prasad said, “It feels like whole India is with us. Everyone is helping us.”
Doesn’t this show how a simple act of kindness can transform someone’s life for the better?
