The Side Stand Lesson

Today while starting my bike, the spring of the side stand broke. I was in a rush and had no option but to ride with the side stand dangling. The distance was just Prabhadevi to Annie Besant Road and back — but in that short journey, I encountered something beautiful.

At least 15 people — strangers from every walk of life — passerby, motorists, even fellow bikers — called out, yelled, or waved to warn me: “Hey, your side stand is on! It’s dangerous, you’ll fall!”

Not one of them knew me, and I didn’t know them. Yet, in that moment, all they cared about was my safety.

This isn’t unusual on Indian roads; it happens often. But that day it touched me deeply. It reminded me that love and care still exist in the world, quietly alive in countless hearts.

My heartfelt prayer is that this instinct — to look out for each other’s safety and well-being — goes far beyond the side stand.