Bhagwati Yadav. However, he was more famously known as “Bisleri pani puri wala” in South Bombay’s Napean Sea Road. Mr.Yadav lost his life to COVID-19 last month. His death has left his wife and daughters with no other permanent source of income.
After learning about his demise, his nearby residents have come forward and started a crowdfunding initiative at Ketto to provide financial assistance to his family. Their target is to raise Rs.5,00,000 within the campaign period of 42 days. Surprisingly, with 40 more days still to go while writing this post, they have already managed to raise a sum of Rs.3,03,370.
For nearly 46 years, Yadav was selling pani puri in South Bombay’s Napean Sea Road. He was known for his hygiene and humility with which he used to serve his customers. Yadav used only bottled mineral water to prepare his pani puris and always prepared his snack at home to maintain hygiene. Thus, people used to refer to him as “Bisleri pani puri wala“.
“He was extremely popular. We’ve all had his paani puri and Dahi batata puri since we were children. He would be at his corner at Rungta Lane every single evening, whether it was summer, winter, or the monsoon.” said Girish Agarwal, 34, who started the fundraising initiative.
“When my father was in the hospital, I got more calls from his customers than I did from our relatives,” said Kusum, the 28-years-old daughter of Yadav.
“Very unfortunate, have grown up around that Area..and have had his Dahi puri manier times and after moving out of that area, coming to South Mumbai always made it a mandate to stop by for a pani puri/Dahi puri… RIP…unfortunate but pray his soul rest in peace… I am going to surely miss it,” mentioned one of the well-wishers in the fundraising campaign page.
Yadav’s family is overwhelmed by the support they have received from his customers. While reporting this story, 169 supporters have already made their generous contribution to the fundraiser.
“He was the sole earner in his house. We are in touch with his daughter. We felt like helping his family, so we didn’t think much and posted an appeal on a crowdfunding website. We have received Rs two lakh donation in just two days,” said Yash Baid, a resident of Napean Sea Road as reported by NDTV.
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Yadav’s generosity knew no bounds as he would never shy away from handing out “Ek extra puri” and always compounded his popularity.
People coming together to raise funds for a paani puri wala in a busy city like Mumbai reaffirms that humanity is not dead yet.