Among the many things that have taken a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic is the eating-out culture. The pandemic has a harsh impact on the food and restaurant business, especially for owners of small roadside eateries.
Somewhere in south Delhi, an elderly couple sells home-cooked meals from a tiny kiosk with the name Baba Ka Dhaba, making just enough to buy the next day’s menu. They have done this for 30 years.
Last night, the story of their struggle in the coronavirus crisis went viral, moving thousands of people, including celebrities, cricketers and even companies.
It all started with an Instagram post and a late night tweet.
Vasundhara Tankha Sharma posted a video by a food blogger Gaurav Vasan featuring the couple and said it “completely broke my heart”. She urged the people of Delhi to visit Baba ka Dhaba in Malviya Nagar.
This video completely broke my heart. Dilli waalon please please go eat at बाबा का ढाबा in Malviya Nagar if you get a chance 😢💔 #SupportLocal pic.twitter.com/5B6yEh3k2H
— Vasundhara Tankha (@VasundharaTankh) October 7, 2020
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
And internet has once again done its magic and has taken an initiative to bring a smile on the old couple’s face. His story has touched many hearts and this morning, “Baba Ka Dhaba” was among the top trends on Twitter.
Within hours, visuals of the old man wiping his tears racked up thousands of retweets and likes. Many have offered to help the couple financially and others have announced plans for lunch at Baba Ka Dhaba. Among those who have tweeted are actor Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, Randeep Hooda, cricketer R Ashwin, IPL team Delhi Capitals and food delivery app Zomato. And a constant stream of customers could be seen at the makeshift eatery shop.
Hi could you please dm me details.
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) October 7, 2020
दिल्ली! चलो ‘बाबा का ढाबा’ पर मटर पनीर खाते हैं! मालवीय नगर में! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💜💜💜 #SupportSmallBusinesses #VocalForLocal #ShowHeart https://t.co/khus7WJMB8
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) October 7, 2020
#बाबाकाढाबा #dilliwalon #dil #dikhao. Whoever eats here, sends me pic, I shall put up a sweet message with your pics ! ♥️ #supportlocalbusiness #localvendors https://t.co/5DH73wz3SD
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) October 8, 2020
Spread the word around.
Wipe his tears #BabaKaDhaba https://t.co/BE9cXGEnSs
— RAHUL SRIVASTAV (@upcoprahul) October 8, 2020
.@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: इंसानियत से बड़ा कुछ नहीं! (@attorneybharti) October 8, 2020
People have taken photos alongside the Dhaba and posted the address on Twitter. The helpful world of social media even started a campaign inviting people to the dhaba with the slogan ‘Roses are red violets are blue, waiting for food at Baba ka Dhaba, where are you?”
