In the image above is Shila Ghosh, an 83-year-old woman who lives in Bally in West Bengal, a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation’s fourth-most populous.
Her only son had heart ailment and passed away a few months ago. To make ends meet, Shila now works. Every evening, Shila comes from Bally to Kolkata to sell chips.
When asked if she has a problem in traveling, she weakly smiled and said: “No, the bus gets me here and my health is not that bad.”
Circumstances could have easily forced her to beg but her dignity and respect is everything for her, she is determined to work until the end of her life rather than to beg on the streets.
Story courtesy of Sufia Khatoon,
A college student in Kolkata
When we go on complaining, let us remember her….. she chose to solve her problems on her own for as they say God helps them those who help themselves.
Don’t worry, Shila is being helped. Although she refuses donations and prefers to make her own living, many people found ways to help without making her feel dependent on anyone i.e. purchase more chips from her… some are also helping her to build a kiosk.
West Bengal, India Map:
@Avi Mukherjee: Updated. Thank you so much!
Hi, Please correct one important thing in your story about Mrs. Shila Ghosh. She lives in Bally, not Pali. (Bally, Dist.-Howrah, West Bengal) I, being nearer resident, had been co-passenger for last 9-10 yrs. in the bus (Route No.3) she travels; and for her cordial, hearty and sweet behaviour, not only I, but all other passengers including bus-conductors in this route know her as a loving granny even before she became famous in media and social-media sites. And today I read in a newspaper that she is invited & going to act in a Bengali Movie if nothing goes wrong. I pray for her health & wellness. Thanks
God bless her & give her long long life….. salute her dignity.
So amazing, if an octogenarian could have this courage, then what are the youth of these days doings their lives.kudos!!!!
Really amazing… hands of salute to you… great.
Tears roll on my eyes to hear this that there are still a few like her who cares more for their dignity than to opt for any means to fill their stomach. Proud of her and also to be an Indian like her.
I salute you from bottom of my heart.
I like her sense of self-reliance. People who are self-dependent are respected in the society.
This is how we could make this world a better place to live in….
It is a very inspiring story and very painful also….
She is a very courageous woman. It is true quotes “God helps those who help themselves”. May God bless her.
She shows that 100% responsible is her only not others..really melt my heart..
I appreciate her for her courage. May GOD bless her and give her more strength and courage.
I appreciate people helping her…..love u “my mother”!!
I salute her courage, God gives to her more strenth and good life.
May the Almighty God bless her for as long as she shall live on this earth ….
I salute her.
True salute to the old lady…
I am very glad to hear this kind of Real Stories…… I hope that Poor Lady do something better in her life……
Really it’s a good lesson for me and I think for all.
GOD bless the old woman. May she be blessed by GOD forever
Super story, she should be very proud of herself, and everyone in todays generation should learn from her.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart to the student who covered this story.
It shows shame on the part of the people who beg.
It’s quiet inspirational for me. I salute the old woman from the bottom of my heart. Great personality.
That shows us sort of courage how difficult the situation will be never bend.
I hope that the story will give an inspiration to any individual whom life could be possibly happen to any of us….. hold on and never give up. God will always help those who claim HIS promises and live a righteous life.
Very inspiring, Great!!!! God Bless u always & keep u strong & in Good health.
I salute her from the bottom of my heart.
What an inspiring personality!!!
We all should learn from respected Shila ji, that how to move towards solving the problem instead of complaining and getting tensed.
I revere her from the bottom of my heart.
Hat’s off for dignity! May God bless her.
In real life, most people start to beg in this condition. Really it’s amazing that Ms. Shila is very brave and has a strong will power to struggle with her life alone. Salute to this kind of brave “soldiers of life”.
Couregeous!!! Hope GOD will keep her strength and her believes in life moving on and on and on……………
God bless you Lola Shila!
Very inspiring person… she is a very good example to the lazy people…
If I can also show this level of courage in my field!
Superb example of dignity of labour. Something to cherish and live upto.
Shila you are superb. May GOd bless you in your life. Keep working hard and doing it. Well done. I appreciate you.
I am really proud of her. My all good wishes are always with her, she is the real example of the people who trust in efforts.
Amazing good lessons for us…god bless her….
She has the dignity of labour which has a reward on earth and in heaven. May God bless her and be his salvation in times of trouble. She has taught me something from her life.
Yes, I meet her near Rabindra Sadan and often buy chips from her. I salute her for her determination, dignity and her courage. Proud of her. God bless me too to be like her strong and confident . DIDA, TUMI GR8…
God bless Shila!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Exotic perception of human determination. May God bless her beyond 100 years.
It’s a lesson for those who easily give away hope. It is necessary to keep courage till end of your life. Though age slows down the movement but still with will power, lots can be managed.
Don’t give up easily, as this will help you to live happy life. God bless Shila to live nicely.
Every personality should have this kind of attitude!!!!
God bless u more Ms. Shila 🙂
I feel like flying to India and help her and take care of her. Good thing lots of people help her..
Really appreciate…………..May GOD bless her.
It is not circumstances that matter, it is only how react to those circumstances really matter. As she belongs to old era she refuses any direct help as she prefers to be self reliant as far as she can stretch. But the story would have been very different if it had happened to a person between the age group of 25-40. This age group has grown lazy and looks for easy options. This is the reflection of the growing and prevailing trend amongst our fellow country men/women. Sadly it is true and does not seem to change soon as not much of effort is directed towards that.
She is trully an inspiring old woman. Good for her that she is getting help, may the good Lord abundantly bless who are having a hand on her success..
We need more Shila’s in this world, to show the dignity of work, I hope the younger generation learns from her..
Shila has also felt not to feel sorry for yourself and as a strong and determin women wanted to be an exemplier person. God bless those who helped her.
Super story, she should be very Proud of Herself, I feel like I should Go and Help Her but it’s nice to know there are people taking care of her.
Dignity among the poor shames the rich. God bless her.