Note: Two days after we published this story, the facts claimed by Dipika Naik have been refuted by Ivy Pinto, while speaking to publication Mid-Day. The story can be read here. In light of this, we have reached out to Dipika for clarifications and have decided to take down our story. We apologise to our readers. – Editor
We all know commuting is big part of the day in metro cities – especially in Mumbai. Local train stations are brimming with people and you often get a glimpse into the lives of many strangers. But the more frequent this commuting becomes, the more we become rigid to those travelling with us.
If an old lady enters a train car in a metro wearing shabby clothes and looking untidy, people race to judge the person behind the appearance. This is what happened to an elderly commuter on a train. But hang on! The story that follows is truly an inspiring one.
Dipika was just another commuters in the local trains of Mumbai, when the train stopped at Churchgate, an old lady in worn out clothes and looking a bit unkempt boarded the train.
Dipika described what happened next on Twitter, as the old lady requested a seat and was turned down by all the passengers, even though there was sufficient space
https://twitter.com/EmpoweringGoa/status/1022042179806666753
So she requested all the ladies (who were sitting spreading their legs as much as they can in order to pretend that there is no space even for an ant!) to shift a bit so that she can manage to sit.
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
The lady was so thin that she needed as much space as a 2-3 yrs old kid would need! But still, ladies were denying to shift as if they have been fixed there with fevicol 😊
I had to make them 'realise' that if they would be kind enough to sit without spreading legs,— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
this old female would get a seat! After having a few mins of 'unhealthy discussion', they agreed to shift. But gave very disgusting look to the lady. And asked me to let her sit beside me because they did not want to sit next to an untidy person!
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
The lady chose to sit near Dipika. Dipika was more than happy to accompany her. Wanting to know more about the old lady, she inquired about her life. And here’s where the story gets truly moving.
I was lucky enough that she chose to sit next to me. I was feeling so sad that she had been judged and ridiculed because of her attire, personality and messy bag. I told her not to feel bad about the hurtful comments she got from those ladies!
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
The lady just smiled and said "I never feel bad about it. Because their comments are limited only upto this journey of 1 hour. Their perception cant make any difference to my 65 yrs of journey and to the rest of it! It is not their fault that
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
The old lady was clearly unfazed by the judgement of others. In her own words, she said “Their comments are limited only upto this journey of one hour. Their perception can’t make any difference to my 65 years of journey and to the rest of it!”
they dont know that this messy, weak old lady was a state level hockey player when she was young. They dont know that this lady they are denying today to sit next to has worked in French embassy of India as a certified bilangular.
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
They dont know that the lady they are finding ugly today, was a part time model in her young days! They dont know that the lady they are finding weak, is so strong that even after losing her husband and their only daughter, she moved on in life with joy!
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
They dont know that the lady they are asking "pehli baar aayi hai kya train me?" is travelling in Mumbai locals since 1940. They dont know that the lady they are advising to sit at home in this age, travels DAILY from Virar to Bandra in "peak" hours to teach unprevileged children
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
so that they won't become like one of these people when they will grow up!"
😊 such a tight slap to all those who judge a book by its cover 😊
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
You can read the rest of the thread, and the noble cause behind the lady’s journey through this Twitter thread below:
I could not resist to take a selfie (though its not perfect) with Ivy and post it here along with her thoughts so that we all could learn from her.
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
Before we parted our ways, she recognised the question in my eyes, and said, "Ivy is one type of a plant. You did not learn it in your school days?"
😇😇😇😇
God make us meet some people for a reason! Courtesy Dipika D Naik
— Truth wins always (@EmpoweringGoa) July 25, 2018
At the end of the thread, there is this heartwarming message by a woman related to Ivy.
Her stirring story about Ivy would put to shame all those judging her. Check it out below:
https://twitter.com/EmpoweringGoa/status/1022043770005667841
There is something that we can all take away from Dipika and Ivy. Never judge a book by it’s cover and never let judgements attack who you are.
(Edited By Vinayak Hegde)
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