Overview

• On August 11, Ishika Dhanmeher’s LinkedIn post about her mother’s 11-year vada pav stall outside Mumbai’s BMC Hospital went viral, drawing widespread acclaim.
• Dhanmeher detailed her mother’s early struggles—from vandalism and theft to being barred by hospital staff—and her determination to continue without complaint.
• By emphasizing homemade preparation and strict hygiene, the vendor gradually converted skeptics into loyal customers among doctors, nurses and patients.
• Speaking Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu and some English despite lacking formal education enabled her to forge genuine connections across a diverse hospital community.
• Following the viral tribute, hospital staff now not only buy her vada pav but also extend invitations to join hospital picnics, reflecting strengthened community bonds.