7 Instances Of People Helping Out Small Vendors & Businesses During The Pandemic
One of the worst hit by this pandemic were people who were either street vendors or ran eateries because people became too paranoid to buy/eat from them. The initial blow to their pockets was terrible and even now, some are struggling to make ends meet.
While people tried their best to hold onto their jobs and businesses during this God awful year, others who weren¡¯t so lucky had to suffer from terrible financial setbacks.
One of the worst hit by this pandemic were people who were either street vendors or ran eateries because people became too paranoid to buy food from them. The initial blow to their pockets was terrible and even now, some are struggling to make ends meet.
However, there are always good Samaritans around who want to lend a helping hand to those who need it the most. Here are some examples:
1. #BabaKaDhabha received help as heartbreaking video of 80-year-old couple went viral
An elderly couple sells home-cooked meals from a tiny kiosk in front of Hanuman Mandir in Malviya Nagar. Recently, a video of the man shedding tears became viral on social media and his financial woes came to everyone¡¯s attention. It did not take long for people to help out the 80-year-old couple and soon enough, thanks to the kind person who posted the video, people flocked in large numbers to the dhabha.
2. Vikas Khanna helped an 80-YO idli-seller with cooking materials and gas cylinders
Known for his generosity and for helping out millions during this pandemic, Chef Vikas Khanna knew he had to do something when he came across K Kamalathal¡¯s story. The 80-year-old woman from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, is famous for selling idlis for Re 1 in her area. Even when the cost of ingredients went up, Kamalathal refused to increased the price of the idlis. Khanna, impressed by her dedication to help the poor, decided to pitch in and with the power of social media, managed to track her down and had materials sent over to her.
So, today morning When I read this article in @indiatimes
¡ª Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) May 10, 2020
I could not resist sending her some dry ration.
With a few hours our Twitter Universe, @AnupamkPandey @satyaprad1 @TajinderBagga @NikhilZanvar ji started spreading the word. And today we surprised her.
Happy Mothers Day pic.twitter.com/cFQs6cHcRM
3. Delhi Mango seller received donations in lakhs after people looted his stock worth Rs 30,000
A mango seller went through a terrible experience of having his stock looted by passers-by in north Delhi's Jagatpuri area. A video of the incident went viral where people were seen stealing the vendor¡¯s mangoes. He incurred a loss of Rs 30,000. As soon as the incident went viral, many media houses shared the vendor¡¯s details and the public came together and raised almost Rs 8 lakh for him.
4. Oldest Indian restaurant in east London gets back on its feet thanks to the world of Twitter
Social media proved to be an angel in disguise for this old Indian restaurant in East London. The eatery owner¡¯s daughter took to Twitter to share the plight of the restaurant during the pandemic and requested people to come forward and help out by visiting the establishment. Soon enough, once her tweet went viral, business reportedly picked up and proved that social media is a powerful tool.
Hey twitter! Not one to do this, but my dad owns the oldest Indian restaurant in East London and has been struggling with customers so please show some love! If you're in Aldgate come have a curry, I'm biased but it's the best! Below is my grandad in the 70s vs my dad now?? pic.twitter.com/DHFFFMiDBf
¡ª Mehnaz (@mehnazmeh) August 5, 2020
5. Vegetable vendor's heartbreaking picture of him crying led to people donating him a total of Rs 2 lakh in one day
A vegetable vendor crying on a road divider in Mumbai was captured by a Mumbai Mirror photographer. The vendor¡¯s grief-stricken face went viral and people¡¯s hearts filled up with empathy for him. He was flooded with calls the next day and was offered help. By evening, his bank account was full of individual donations ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 which totaled to almost Rs 2 lakh.
Spirit of Mumbai tired and beaten_read the entire story_ @mumbaimirror pic.twitter.com/SkJAORgGSz
¡ª Sachin Haralkar (@sachin_haralkar) August 6, 2020
6. 13-year-old egg seller whose cart was overturned by MC workers was helped out by the public as well as politicians
A young boy¡¯s egg cart was overturned by Municipal Corporation workers in Indore for selling on the road. The 13-year-old boy was also issued a challan of Rs 100 and he incurred a loss of almost Rs 8,000. Devastated by the incident, the child¡¯s heartbreaking reaction was recorded by a passerby and posted on social media.
While many came forward to offer cash to the boy, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh reached out and promised to bear the expenses of the teenager and his brother's education while sending him Rs 10,000 as financial assistance.
BJP MLA Ramesh Mendola gifted the boy a bicycle, four pairs of clothing as well as Rs 2,500 along with the assurance of providing him with a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Instagram
7. Young girl selling vegetables in Assam during lockdown was helped out by the police
A young girl who dropped out of school to help her parents sell vegetables and earn a living was gifted a moped by police officials in Upper Assam¡¯s Dibrugarh district. The lockdown had been tough on the family and the police wanted to lend a helping hand to the young girl. A social worker also donated a wheelchair to the 20-year-old girl¡¯s immobile father.
Twitter
The world has its silver linings.
