For India’s middle class, traveling first class or business class can be a luxury experience. Recently an NRI man shared a sweet story about booking business class tickets for his parents as they traveled from India to the United States, and the thread left many emotional desi kids online.
Gaurav Sabnis, an associate professor living in the United States, took to Twitter to share the joy of finally being able to do this for his hard-working parents. “Feeling more adult,” Sabnis wrote. “Finally able to afford a flight the parents can lay back and sleep in,” he wrote, adding that his parents still thought it was extravagant, but he gave up.
“I’m especially thrilled that Mom is experiencing long-haul international business class travel in a 777 for the first time. She finds joy in the little things in life. She’s going to be like an excited kid when she lands,” Sabnis said. Speaking of his dad, he pointed out that he would just be satisfied after catching up on a good night’s sleep in New York.
Explaining how her mother is a “hardened” traveller, Sabnis added that due to her father’s job as a road bridge engineer, they had to endure many difficult hikes, but she always did it with a “smile on his face”. The proud son explained that since turning 20, “she’s been on all kinds of rough, bumpy, even dangerous trips, often with us 2 kids in tow,” with no complaints. “So she finds that even economy-class air travel is full of things she can be happy about,” he added.
First business class ticket booking for parents to visit us here from India.
To feel more adult.
Finally able to afford a flight in which parents can lie down and sleep. Mom dad was still like “kharcha kashala ugich” but I put my foot down. 😍🤗
— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) May 17, 2022
Mom is a hardened traveler. Dad is a retired road bridge engineer. So, since she was 20, she has been on all sorts of difficult, bumpy, even dangerous journeys, often with us 2 children in tow, with a smile on her face. So she finds that even economy class air travel is full of things she can be happy about.
— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) May 17, 2022
Speaking of long trips to India, Sabnis also reflected on how hard it is for women to not be able to take toilet breaks for hours.
“I still remember as a child I was confused as to why my mum barely drank water during our 16-24 hour bumpy bus rides between Pune and Indore. While I drank water like anything,” he wrote. He admitted to realizing the common problem that many women faced in India with the lack of public toilets on highways in the early 80s and 90s and sometimes even now.
As a guy, every time the bus stopped (just two or three times) I could and could just run to the nearest secluded corner and pee. My mother, like all women, doesn’t have that luxury in India. And that was definitely not the case in the 80s and 90s, when things were even worse when it came to freeway restrooms.
— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) May 17, 2022
“As a guy, every time the bus stopped (just two or three times) I could and I could just run to the nearest secluded spot and pee. My mom, like any woman, doesn’t you don’t have that luxury in India,” he added.
He added how relieved and happy his mother was when she first traveled to the United States 15 years ago and found it easy to exit onto the freeways and use a service station toilet. “So she could drink water whenever she wanted. Small joys, ”he wrote, emphasizing that she did not need much to feel satisfied.
While many friends’ parents complained about the food in the United States, my egg-free vegetarian mother was so thrilled with the ubiquity of @METROand how it’s fresh and made to order and grilled and full of options, even in the most random high outlets of the most random rural America.
Little pleasures.
— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) May 17, 2022
Continuing the thread, Sabnis said the plan was originally for his birthday in April 2020 when he could have accompanied them on the flight. However, when the pandemic hit, he couldn’t make the plans work.
“Even though 2 years late and without me next to her, I’m so glad she can enjoy a long flight sleeping horizontally,” he wrote, delighted. “And she and I recognize how incredibly lucky and privileged we are to be able to do this,” he proudly concluded.
Even though 2 years late, and without me next to her, I’m so glad she can enjoy a long flight sleeping horizontally.
And she and I recognize how incredibly lucky and privileged we are to be able to do this.
— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) May 17, 2022
The thread quickly resonated with many Indians online, who all agreed that coming from a humble background, moving slowly through life when you can finally give back to your parents, is unfiltered joy. While many have thanked Sabnis for doing this for his parents, many have also argued that it’s no “small joy” to be able to roam freely without any worries.
Even though I don’t know you, I loved reading your short story. Your heart fills with joy as you watch them enjoy pleasures and comforts they never thought they would experience.
— Vinay (@vinayn_b) May 19, 2022
I take my hat off. Just a thought of your mom stretching her legs, giving me misty eyes 😇. Who we are and what we are, all credit goes to mom and dad. They have sacrificed so much to give us so much.
— erdoctrader (@erdoctraderA4M) May 17, 2022
Due to covid we weren’t able to do as much as I would have liked but I’m like At least it’s not like she didn’t. Little big pleasures. I hope she has a pleasant flight and stay with you.
— reader_laughing (@reader_laughing) May 18, 2022
She said then it’s ok, I don’t need anything else.
Bar so low.— Sudipta (@sudipta_0812) May 18, 2022
Your enthusiasm to be able to offer “little pleasures” to your parents, especially your mom, is so endearing… I’m sure she will love every moment of it.
— Shalini Nair (@ShaliniNair68) May 18, 2022
Typical mom thing to say, but they will be secretly happy and impressed with the services and care they will receive. Hope they enjoy it to the fullest and have a good trip!
— Dr. Radhika Tonsey (@radzzzzster) May 18, 2022
This thread made my day! That love, that joy, that feeling when you do something “big” for your parents is precious. And then sit next to them and hear them talk about it or generally not talk about it!
—Jyotsna Mansukhani (@jmansukhani) May 18, 2022
I hope your parents have a wonderful flight ✈️ and an amazing stay with you. Create precious memories with them and share their experiences. Best wishes to all of you
— Ruchi Angrish (She/She) (@RuchiAngrish) May 18, 2022
Magnificent. I felt like my parents were traveling business class. Small joys are often sacrificed for big ones. Thanks for sharing.
— Apologetically Curious (@ApoCurious) May 18, 2022
Our little gestures make our parents happy. Moreover, the joy of meeting their children eclipses any discomfort.
— Maneesha Goel (@GoelManeesha) May 18, 2022
Your parents will certainly appreciate it. Truly a great success.
— Lakshmi Seth (@Lakshmipvml) May 18, 2022
Wow! Congratulations, I imagine happiness on both sides. God bless you
— Asma Rizwan ☺😇 (@asmariz) May 17, 2022
Many more have joined the conversation, hoping to do the same for their parents one day.
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