Elderly Man Sells Homemade Sweets on Chennai Trains After Daughter Settles Abroad
Elderly Man Sells Homemade Sweets on Chennai Trains After Daughter Settles Abroad
At an age when most people need care and rest, an 80-year-old man is walking through Chennai’s local trains, selling sweets and polis made by his wife. His daughter now lives in London, and the elderly couple is left alone to manage their lives with limited means. Every day, the man carries trays of homemade snacks and boards local trains, offering them to passengers. His wife, who is also elderly, prepares the sweets at home with care. It’s their only source of income, and a way for them to live with dignity.
This story came to light after a social media post describing the couple’s struggle went viral. The post shared, “Today, my heart broke when I saw an 80-year-old got pushed into hardship. Abandoned by his own daughter who now lives in London, he has taken up selling sweets and polis on the busy trains of Chennai, to support himself and his wife. His wife, in her late 70s, lovingly prepares them at home, and he walks out with dignity to sell what her hands create. I tasted them — and believe me, they are pure, divine, and filled with love.”
The post continued, “If you come across him, don’t just buy a sweet or a poli — buy his strength, his resilience, his unbroken spirit. And if you wish to support, please reach out to his contact number and place an order (In Chennai). Sometimes, the best food carries the weight of untold stories. Let’s not let our elders feel abandoned in their final years.”
The situation moved many people online, including Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal, who responded to the post by saying, “This is heartbreaking. @sterlite_copper @COO_SIIL, please reach out immediately and help him.”
Polis, Sweets & Tears behind every bite ❤️ 😭 “Today, my heart broke when I saw an 80-year-old got pushed into hardship. Abandoned by his own daughter who now lives in London, he has taken up selling sweets and polis on the busy trains of Chennai, to support himself and his… pic.twitter.com/6wpuOzpwwk
— Dr Mouth Matters (@GanKanchi) September 9, 2025
Others also expressed their support. Product strategist Monica Jasuja questioned, “What kind of children would leave this hardworking man alone? I hope everyone travelling on this route buys from them and supports them.”
As more people become aware of the couple’s struggle, there has been a growing call to support them — not just by buying what they sell, but by acknowledging their strength and spirit. This story is a reminder that many elderly people still face hardship in silence. A simple act of kindness — like buying a sweet — can mean much more when it supports someone who refuses to give up despite the odds.
