From Rs 1.25 lakh salary to delivery duty: Zomato rider’s story of loss, hope, and integrity

A car accident changed the course of the delivery agent's life. (Image: Shripal Gandhi/Facebook)

A routine food delivery in Pune has turned into a tale of compassion, resilience, and human spirit — sparking a wave of praise and admiration on social media.

Shripal Gandhi, who originally shared the story on Facebook, recounted how a simple lunch order from Subway — a paneer tikka sandwich, Bingo chips, and oat raisin cookies — became a life lesson he would never forget.

“When the order arrived, I could tell just by looking at the packet — only the sandwich had made it,” Gandhi wrote. He informed the delivery partner that the chips and cookies were missing. The rider, who appeared hesitant and unsure, replied humbly, “Sir, please call the restaurant or Zomato.”

Gandhi contacted Subway, and the restaurant promptly apologised for the oversight. “They asked, ‘Can you send the rider back? We’ll pay him Rs 20 for the trouble,’” he wrote.

However, there was a catch. Technically, delivery partners are not required to return to the restaurant unless Zomato, the food aggregator platform, instructs them. Because Zomato pays the riders — not the restaurant — any additional trips fall outside their formal obligations.

Yet, this particular delivery agent didn’t hesitate. “Sir, it’s my responsibility. I want the customer to be happy,” he told Gandhi.

He made the return trip to collect the missing items — and delivered them back with a smile. He even refused the Rs 20 compensation from Subway. His reason was simple but profound: “God has given me so much. Why should I take this money for a mistake someone else made?”

What followed left Gandhi speechless.

The rider opened up about his past. Once a construction supervisor climbing the corporate ladder at Shapoorji Pallonji, he earned Rs 1.25 lakh per month. But a car accident changed the course of his life. His left hand and leg were paralysed. He lost his job, his stability, and for a time, his hope.

“Zomato changed that,” he told Gandhi. “They gave me a job. A chance. A purpose.” He added, “Sir, Zomato kept my family alive. I may be handicapped, but I’ve been given an opportunity. I will never let Zomato’s name be affected.”

The delivery rider, whose name Gandhi did not disclose, shared that his daughter is now studying dentistry. “He rides not just for income, but to keep her dream alive,” Gandhi wrote. “He didn’t blame life. He didn’t complain. He didn’t give excuses.”

Instead, Gandhi said, “He smiled, believed in Swami Samarth (his faith), and said: ‘God is with me. Why should I worry?’”

As Gandhi concluded his post: “Today I received a sandwich. But what stayed with me… was gratitude, resilience, and hope.”

He also took a moment to thank Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal and the team. “You might not realise it, but your decision to hire persons with disabilities is changing lives in the most profound way.”

The post has since gone viral, drawing admiration and applause from readers. One commenter wrote, “Salute to such humans...” Another added, “Wow, awesome and truly inspiring.” Others chimed in with remarks like “Very inspiring story” and “Thank you, Shripal Gandhi, for sharing this life lesson.”