‘But there was something in his eyes…’: Delhi man pleads with Zomato CEO after emotional conversation with delivery manager

Late night food delivery became a poignant experience for a Delhi resident, who shared the poignant story of a young Zomato delivery manager who works tirelessly to support his family. The encounter inspired him to approach Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal with a heartfelt plea for change.

Himanshu Bohra, a Delhi resident, had submitted the application at 3am, unaware that the delivery would put him face to face with someone whose story would leave him “deeply shaken”.

“Last night, after I finished work at 3am, I ordered my food through Zomato. When the doorbell rang, I stood up to open it. There he was, Shiva Sarkar, the delivery manager, with a warm smile despite the biting cold outside.

The delivery manager, Shiva Sarkar, a young man in his twenties, arrived at Bohra’s doorstep with a warm smile despite the cold night. However, his eyes held a calm burden, indicating a story waiting to be told.

“There was something in his eyes: heaviness, unspoken conflict,” Bohra recounted.

Moved by his behaviour, Bohra invited Shiva inside and offered him a cup of water. While they were talking, Shiva talked about his life. After losing his father, he had to leave school in the eighth grade to support his family. Now he works late into the night delivering food, using what he earns to pay for his younger sister’s wedding, all while bearing the weight of his responsibilities.

“Shiva, who is around 20-21 years old, broke down in tears as he narrated his story. He had to quit school after Class VIII when his father died. The weight of responsibility forced him to take up this job to support his family,” Bohra said.

He added: “His dreams of education and carefree youth have been replaced by long nights and the heavy burden of ensuring his sisters’ marriage next year. I sat there, in awe of his power. This young man, who should be pursuing his aspirations, is instead running against the clock to make ends meet, with a determination that can only impress.

The encounter left Bohra thinking about the sacrifices made by countless delivery managers like Shiva, who put aside their dreams to shoulder the burdens of their families.

“As we talked, I couldn’t stop thinking – How many Chivas are out there? Young people are giving up their education, aspirations, and potential just to keep their families going,” Bohra shared in his post.

As Shiva left with a smile and a heartfelt ‘thank you’, Bohra was left wrestling with a whirlwind of emotions. “What can we do for them? Could Zomato, with its wide reach and influence, consider offering initiatives like upskilling programmes, scholarships, or accessible loans to support these unsung heroes?” suggest.

Bohra turned his sincere thought into a call to action, addressing Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal directly in his post.

“Deepinder Goyal, I really appreciate Zomato, but can we do more? Can we as a society support these individuals who silently carry the weight of the world on their small shoulders,” he wrote.

Accompanied by a photo of Shiva – shared with his permission – the post resonated deeply and quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussions online.

Zomato was quick to acknowledge the post. “Hi Himanshu, thanks for bringing this to our attention. This sounds very inspiring and we are proud of our delivery world. If possible, please help us with the order ID via private message so that we can express your appreciation to our delivery partner,” Zomato said.