‘Unko jagna hai toh...’: A mother selling chai at a dhaba all night sparks debate over 'India we don’t notice enough'

On highways across India, it is not unusual to spot a small dhaba glowing under a dim bulb in the dead of night, serving tea to passing truckers and weary travellers. But a recent Reddit post has turned one such everyday sight into a talking point. The post recalls a late-night stop at a roadside stall on NH-48, where a middle-aged woman was running her dhaba past midnight while her two children slept nearby on a wooden bench. What might have seemed like a routine chai break soon unfolded into a lesson on sacrifice, privilege, and the quiet determination of India’s working class.

The night at NH-48

The post describes an incident at a small dhaba along National Highway 48. Around 1 AM, a traveller whose bus was delayed stopped for tea. The stall was run by a middle-aged woman, serving hot chai and parathas as if it were daytime.

Curious, the traveller asked how she managed to work through the night. With a smile, she explained that most of her customers were truck drivers who moved at night. Shutting shop after dark, she said, was not an option because her children’s schooling depended on the income.

A mother’s words that stayed

In one corner of the dhaba, her two young children were asleep on a wooden bench, their school bags tucked under their heads like pillows. Pointing at them, the woman told the traveller: “Main chahti hoon mere bachche kabhi raat ko jag kar kaam na karein. Unko jagna hai toh bas kitaab ke liye jagna hai.” (“I want my children to never stay up at night to work. If they have to stay awake, it should only be for their books.”)

The words left the traveller speechless, leading to a reflection on how unseen sacrifices by ordinary people form the backbone of the country.

From chai at 2 AM to ‘India Shining’

The post highlights a striking contrast: while conversations about “India Shining” often revolve around startups and billion-dollar valuations, the real foundation of progress comes from countless men and women who work odd hours, compromising their comfort and health so that their children can aim for better futures.

Social media reaction

Since being shared on Reddit, the post has sparked wide debate. Many users praised the woman’s resilience and selflessness, calling her story a reminder of what true strength looks like. Others pointed out that privilege is not just about money, but about being able to sleep peacefully at night without worrying about survival. The line — “Unko jagna hai toh bas kitaab ke liye jagna hai” — has been shared widely, resonating as both a mother’s wish and a reflection of countless families’ silent struggles.

(Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.)