How a father’s small-denomination notes turned into big birthday gift

In a heartwarming and inspiring story from Odisha’s Koraput district, a father’s disciplined approach to saving small amounts over several years culminated in a memorable birthday surprise for his son.

As per reports, Bhaskar Panda, a resident of the Jalaput area in the district, runs a small grocery shop in his village. Instead of letting small daily expenses slip away, he encouraged his son to save one Rs 10 note. This simple routine continued consistently for over seven years and three months.

When his son’s birthday arrived, the family counted the savings and found they had accumulated Rs 1.53 lakh. Carrying bundles of old Rs 10 notes, they visited a vehicle showroom and purchased a brand-new Vespa scooter, returning home riding the gift. Counting the entire amount reportedly took a full day.

"I saved Rs 10 regularly to gift a scooter to my son on his birthday. Earlier, I had followed a similar practice by saving Rs 5 to buy a two-wheeler for my daughter. Through this disciplined habit, I managed to save Rs 1.53 lakh over seven years, which was the exact cost of the scooter we purchased," said Bhaskar Panda.

This was not the first time Bhaskar turned small savings into a big surprise. In August 2017, he had similarly gifted his daughter a two-wheeler by saving Rs 5 notes over time. Having successfully used Rs 5 and Rs 10 notes, he has now begun saving Rs 20 notes, though he has kept his next plan a secret.

"My father had promised to give me a scooter on my birthday after eight years. With this aim, he started saving old Rs 10 notes. I also followed him. We filled three boxes in this way. When we counted them, it was around Rs 1.5 lakh. Subsequently, my father gifted me the scooter on my birthday. It took us around seven years and three months to save the amount. I am so happy and grateful to my father," said Bhaskar's son Arun Kumar Panda.

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"Earlier, Bhaskar had purchased a two-wheeler by saving just Rs 5. Now, through the same habit of disciplined saving, he has gifted a scooter to his son on his birthday. We are extremely happy about this achievement," said Bhaskar's relative Mamata Satpathy.

Bhaskar's saving formula has drawn widespread attention for its powerful message. The story highlights how patience, discipline, and consistent small savings can create a significant impact, proving that meaningful goals can be achieved without arranging large sums of money at once.