Mumbai woman salutes her mom, who runs successful vada pav stall: 'She has no formal education, but they respect her more than any degree

Time of India

6 days ago

Humble Beginnings and Early Struggles
Winning Trust Through Persistence
The Power of Connection
Adapting and Thriving
Earning Respect Beyond Education
A Legacy of Communication and Relationships
Praise from Across the Internet
A heartwarming story from Mumbai has captured the attention of LinkedIn users across the country. Ishika Dhanmeher shared an emotional post honoring her mother's remarkable journey of resilience, perseverance, and warmth. The post quickly gained momentum, drawing praise for the inspiring life of a woman who has spent over a decade running a humble vada pav stall outside the BMC Hospital.Ishika's mother began her entrepreneurial journey 11 years ago, setting up a small stall directly outside the hospital where Ishika's grandmother worked. The decision was far from easy. In the early days, every step forward seemed to come with new challenges. Her stall was repeatedly damaged, thefts occurred, and she was subjected to taunts from passersby. Even members of the hospital staff made it difficult for her to work in peace, seemingly because she dared to carve out her own path.Instead of giving up or lodging complaints, she chose to let her work speak for itself. She demonstrated that her food was clean, fresh, and prepared entirely at home. Slowly but steadily, her dedication turned skeptics into supporters. The very same individuals who once dismissed her now welcomed her to hospital gatherings and picnics, treating her as part of their community.One of her strongest qualities has been her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. She takes the time to engage in real conversations, listens to their stories, and speaks in whatever language makes them feel comfortable—whether it's Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Hindi, or even a touch of English. Despite having no formal education, she navigates these interactions with confidence and warmth.Her courage to approach people, her willingness to ask, and her knack for persuading others have become defining traits. Over the years, she has built strong relationships grounded in mutual trust, without ever directly seeking assistance—yet help seems to find her when she needs it.Her business is never stagnant. She notices trends and changes in taste, introducing new variations of vada pav when needed. If the atmosphere at the stall feels low-spirited, she brings energy back into it. Customers often drop by not just for the food but for the joy of meeting her, treating each interaction like catching up with an old friend.Though she lacks formal qualifications, her sincerity and integrity have earned her deep respect from doctors, nurses, and hospital officials. Her daughter believes that the key to this respect lies in her authenticity, her quick thinking, her ever-present smile, and her love for what she does.She wrote, "She's not formally educated—but doctors, nurses, and officers from the hospitalrespect her more than any degree."For Ishika, her mother's story is not about hardship alone—it's a testament to how personality can be a powerful asset. She credits her mother for instilling in her two invaluable skills: the ability to communicate effectively and the gift of building genuine relationships. To her, these lessons are worth more than any material inheritance.LinkedIn users flooded the comments with admiration. Many described her mother as a true role model and a superwoman raising another. Others applauded her for proving that success is not always measured by titles or formal recognition but by the heart, determination, and unwavering optimism one brings to their work.