70-year-old Bengali woman struggles alone to keep rice hotel alive with just 5 customers a day; internet rallies after viral clip, watch

In many forgotten corners of our cities, life moves quietly- far from headlines and hashtags. Yet sometimes, a single story rises above the noise and reminds us that dignity is not measured by wealth, but by the courage to keep going. One such story is now touching hearts across social media.

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A Lifetime of Work, Carried on Fragile Shoulders

Deepali Ghosh, a 70-year-old Bengali woman, has been running her modest rice hotel for nearly three decades after the passing of her husband. What was once a steady source of income has now dwindled to barely five customers a day. Despite the falling footfall, she continues her routine without help.

She purchases groceries, prepares the meals, washes utensils, cleans the premises and manages the small earnings entirely on her own. The eatery is not just her workplace- it is also her home. In a cramped corner of the same space, she sleeps on a broken sheet of plywood.

The condition of the shop reflects years of strain. The walls are darkened with soot, utensils are old and worn, the roof leaks during rain and every corner signals the urgent need for repair. 

A Viral Video That Stirred Compassion

The story reached thousands after Instagram user Aradhana Chatterjee, known for documenting inspiring human stories and local food spaces, shared a video about Deepali’s struggle. In the clip, she highlights how the elderly woman continues to fight declining business and physical challenges with quiet resilience.

According to Aradhana, Deepali’s situation worsened after the lockdown. Her hearing has weakened, yet she must continue working to afford food and medicines. With no family support available, she does not wish to move to an old age home. Instead, she wants to sustain herself with dignity and keep her rice hotel running.

In the caption, she appealed to her followers: "We will be giving this little shop a makeover since this is where she stays and runs her business from. Let us all come together and make this happen. So that she can have the minimum number of customers to sustain herself and the shop." (sic)

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In another update, Aradhana shared, "WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE MAKEOVER FOR HER SPACE AND HER HOTEL. WE WILL UPLOAD A MAKEOVER VIDEO ON THE CHANNEL BY THE 20th OF FEBRUARY. STAY TUNED." (sic)

Internet Rallies With Support 

The response was immediate and heartfelt. Viewers flooded the comments section with messages of admiration and concern. Many called Deepali’s journey inspiring, while others expressed heartbreak after watching the clip. Several users asked how they could donate, contribute to the renovation or visit her shop in person.

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What began as a simple video has now turned into a collective effort to restore not just a shop, but a woman’s sense of security and pride.

At 70, Deepali Ghosh continues to serve simple meals to five customers a day. But today, she is also being served something just as nourishing- solidarity from strangers who refuse to let her fight alone.