For most of his life, Ram Dinesh Rai did not mark birthdays. There were no cakes, candles, or songs. His days were spent working, cooking, cleaning, and raising a family, with little space for personal milestones. That changed when he turned 70, thanks to a gesture that left him overwhelmed and emotional. His story was shared by Humans of Bombay on Instagram.
Ram Dinesh Rai was born in Bihar and married at the age of 15. Life moved fast, leaving no room for a carefree childhood. Responsibility arrived early, and survival became the priority. By the time he was 20, he had moved to Guwahati in search of work, taking up a job in a household where he handled cleaning, laundry, and daily chores to earn a living.
While working, he closely observed the kitchen. Watching food being prepared sparked a quiet curiosity in him and a desire to try cooking on his own. That interest eventually pushed him to leave his job and attempt something independent.
In 1978, he arrived in Hyderabad with empty pockets and a sense of loss. It was another turning point, though at the time, he could not have known how significant it would become.
In Hyderabad, Ram Dinesh Rai found work cooking for a family. What began as a job slowly turned into something deeper. Days became months, and months turned into years. Over time, he found not just employment but a sense of belonging. According to the Humans of Bombay post, this was the first place where he truly felt at home.
It has now been 46 years since he started working with the same family. Alongside his professional responsibilities, he also raised his own family of seven. Life remained demanding, but he continued working quietly, focused on ensuring that his children grew up stable and self-reliant.
The moment caught him off guard. Seeing the candles lit for him brought tears to his eyes. The celebration made him realise that his years of quiet dedication had not gone unnoticed.
As shared by Humans of Bombay, Ram Dinesh Rai reflects on his life with gratitude rather than regret. His children are now independent, which he considers his biggest achievement. Beyond that, the love he received from both his own family and the family that welcomed him into their home stands out as the greatest gift of his life.
Ram Dinesh Rai was born in Bihar and married at the age of 15. Life moved fast, leaving no room for a carefree childhood. Responsibility arrived early, and survival became the priority. By the time he was 20, he had moved to Guwahati in search of work, taking up a job in a household where he handled cleaning, laundry, and daily chores to earn a living.
While working, he closely observed the kitchen. Watching food being prepared sparked a quiet curiosity in him and a desire to try cooking on his own. That interest eventually pushed him to leave his job and attempt something independent.
A failed dream and starting over
With limited resources but strong determination, he opened a small food stall serving items like ragda pattis and kulcha. He invested himself fully in the work, preparing each dish with care. However, the venture struggled. Customers often delayed payments or never paid at all, and the stall eventually shut down. The failure left him with nothing, forcing him to start over once again.In 1978, he arrived in Hyderabad with empty pockets and a sense of loss. It was another turning point, though at the time, he could not have known how significant it would become.
In Hyderabad, Ram Dinesh Rai found work cooking for a family. What began as a job slowly turned into something deeper. Days became months, and months turned into years. Over time, he found not just employment but a sense of belonging. According to the Humans of Bombay post, this was the first place where he truly felt at home.
It has now been 46 years since he started working with the same family. Alongside his professional responsibilities, he also raised his own family of seven. Life remained demanding, but he continued working quietly, focused on ensuring that his children grew up stable and self-reliant.
A quiet life, finally celebrated
For decades, he did not expect recognition or special treatment. Celebrations were never part of his life. So when his 70th birthday arrived, he assumed it would pass like all the others. Instead, the family he worked for decided to surprise him with a proper celebration. It was the first time he had ever experienced a birthday marked with a cake, candles, and songs.The moment caught him off guard. Seeing the candles lit for him brought tears to his eyes. The celebration made him realise that his years of quiet dedication had not gone unnoticed.
As shared by Humans of Bombay, Ram Dinesh Rai reflects on his life with gratitude rather than regret. His children are now independent, which he considers his biggest achievement. Beyond that, the love he received from both his own family and the family that welcomed him into their home stands out as the greatest gift of his life.