Bengaluru man accidentally receives Rs 50,000. Two years later, it helps a young girl score 97% in boards. Internet is divided

Economic Times

03-05-2025

A stranger's money and a life-changing phone call
— Chinmay16206171 (@Chinmay16206171)
A visit that revealed heartbreak
A father's promise and a brighter tomorrow
Internet reacts
In an age when most of us scroll past strangers' misfortunes, one Bengaluru man's choice to act with integrity—and heart—sparked a chain reaction that changed an entire family's fate. It began with Rs 50,000 landing in the wrong bank account. It ended with a schoolgirl scoring 97% in her board exams—and a family finding hope again.Two years ago, Chinmay Hegde received an unexpected international bank transfer of Rs 50,000. Confused, he went to the bank to investigate. The money had come from a man named Rizwan, working in Saudi Arabia. A minor error in the account number had sent the funds to Chinmay by mistake.When Chinmay reached out to Rizwan, the latter was in tears. That Rs 50,000 wasn't just money—it was lifeline-level support for his struggling family back home in India. Rizwan pleaded with Chinmay to return the money. Moved by the urgency and desperation in his voice, Chinmay promised to do just that.But Chinmay didn't stop at just transferring the money back. He took the effort to visit Rizwan's family in person—and what he saw shook him. The house was in disrepair, barely standing. Rizwan's father, once a construction worker, was paralyzed after falling from a third floor. Rizwan himself had completed his B.Com with 92% and had gone abroad to support his family. His younger sister, once a school topper, had been pulled out of private school due to financial hardship and enrolled in a government school.Chinmay returned the Rs 50,000 and added Rs 5,000 from his own pocket.When Chinmay told his father about the experience, the older man was moved. The next day, the two returned to the family's home. Chinmay's father made a promise on the spot: to fund the girl's full education and ensure she studied where she belonged, not limited by circumstance. He paid her school fees and asked Chinmay to check in with the family every month.Fast forward to the present. The girl, now in Class 10, called Chinmay with the results of her board exam: 97% — 606 out of 625. 'Before even my real brother, I called you,' she told him. 'You're like a real brother to me.' Chinmay shared the story on X, saying, 'I can't describe how emotional that made me feel. One mistake became a blessing.'Some users were skeptical about the story, calling it incoherent, unbelievable, and more bizarre than fiction. One even remarked that it felt like a product of vivid imagination.However, others praised the gesture, calling it heartwarming and inspiring. They applauded Chinmay Hegde for being a true samaritan and making a real difference in someone's life. One emotionally moved user expressed hope that the story was genuine and not crafted merely for social media engagement.