56-year-old delivery rider's heartbreaking story of facing layoff after 14 years leaves internet emotional: ‘I was waiting for work’

Losing a job after years of service can be difficult at any stage of life, but finding another opportunity often becomes even harder as people grow older. Many experienced professionals struggle to return to the workforce because of their age, health or changing hiring trends. A recent post shared by entrepreneur Kiran Verma on LinkedIn has brought that reality into focus after he recounted an emotional meeting with a 56-year-old delivery rider whose story has touched many people online.

In his LinkedIn post, Verma said he had booked a local delivery service to send an urgent letter within Noida as the delivery charge was only ₹40. While getting ready at home, an elderly rider arrived to collect the envelope.

Since Verma lives on the first floor, he could not go downstairs to hand over the package, so the rider climbed up despite some difficulty. Verma apologised for the inconvenience and offered him a glass of water, but the rider politely declined.


As he accepted the envelope, the man smiled and quietly said, "Aaj kaam hi nahi tha, wait kar raha tha kaam ke liye. (Today there was no work. I was waiting for it)"

Those words stayed with Verma. He wrote that the rider appeared well dressed, carried himself with confidence and spoke in a polished manner, making him curious about his background.

The story behind the delivery rider

Feeling guilty for making the elderly man climb the stairs, Verma called him back after he had left. The rider sounded slightly worried over the phone but returned when requested.

During their conversation, the man introduced himself as Manoj, 56. He told Verma that he had worked in the administration department of a private life insurance company for 14 years before being laid off during a round of mass job cuts in 2023.

Verma clarified that he does not know the actual reason behind the layoff or how Manoj had performed in his role. However, he said one sentence from Manoj left a lasting impression.

"Beta jab sabzi banate hai toh curry leaf sabse pehle daalte hai, par jab sabzi khate hai toh sabse pehle curry nikalte hai. (Son, when we cook vegetables, we add curry leaves first, but when we eat vegetables, the curry comes out first.)"

Verma said the comparison reflected how some employees feel after spending years contributing to an organisation only to become dispensable later.

Still searching for work

According to Verma, Manoj said he had been unable to secure another job because of his age and health. The two continued talking for a few minutes, during which Manoj shared several life lessons that Verma said he would never forget.

Before leaving, Verma paid him more than the delivery amount as a gesture of gratitude. He later wrote that he stood in his balcony waving goodbye, almost as if he were seeing off someone he had known for years.

Concluding his LinkedIn post, Verma reflected on how difficult life can become for people who are willing to work but are unable to find opportunities.

He wrote, "Life is hard, real life situations are harder and the hardest is facing the reality that you wanted to do something but the life don’t consider you worth giving work."

Verma ended the post by expressing hope that Manoj remains healthy and finds better opportunities in the years ahead.