In 2017, after returning from the United States, I found myself struggling with the daily chaos of Noida traffic. The noise, the confusion, and the lack of rules felt overwhelming. From potholes to wrong-side driving, it all made me question if coming back to India was the right decision. Every day while driving to and from work, I used to calm myself with music, podcasts, or phone calls, though it didn’t always help. There was too much happening on the road — people, construction, broken streets, and vehicles parked anywhere. But amid all the frustration, I also experienced small moments that taught me big lessons about patience and kindness.
One evening around 8:30 pm, while driving home, my car suddenly jumped almost a foot in the air and landed with a loud burst — the front-right tyre had burst after hitting a hidden pothole. It was dark, and I quickly pulled the handbrake. Thankfully, no car hit me from behind. A man in another car stopped, ran to me, and asked if I was okay. I signaled that I was fine and thanked him. He asked again if I needed help, and when I said no, he left. That simple act of care stayed with me. I managed to move the car to the roadside with help from a nearby person and found a mechanic after an hour. The kindness of a stranger reminded me how much a small gesture can matter.
In another incident around 7:30 pm, my car refused to start at a red light when it turned green. People behind me began honking and shouting. I panicked, but slowly turned on my emergency lights. A beggar watching everything came and offered help for ₹100. I agreed. He, his wife, and children helped me push the car to the side. It was heart-touching to receive help from someone who didn’t have much himself. I called Justdial, but most mechanics refused except one who asked ₹1000. I waited. Many vehicles passed by, ignoring my request for help. Finally, a cab driver stopped, agreed to help for ₹500, and jump-started my car. The whole situation taught me that help can come from the most unexpected people — even those who have very little.
A third incident happened again around 8 pm, when my car stopped in the middle of traffic. By then, I had become used to such issues and didn't panic. I turned on the emergency lights and sat on the divider, calling mechanics. Within 10 minutes, a man stopped and helped push my car to the side. It reminded me again how a stranger’s simple action can bring relief in a stressful moment. A mechanic arrived in half an hour, and after some bargaining, we agreed on ₹600 to fix the issue. All these experiences in Noida traffic, though stressful at the time, taught me valuable lessons about staying calm, asking for help, and most importantly, being kind to others in need — just like those strangers were to me.