Every January, as calendars reset and resolutions are made, most of us promise ourselves a better year, better health, better finances, better lives. But in Bhubaneswar, one man begins the year by giving, not gaining.
For the past ten years, Shiba Shankar Jena, a humble tea seller near the RTO office, has quietly turned New Year’s Day into a celebration of compassion. While the city goes about its routine, Shiba donates all of his New Year’s Day earnings and half of what he earns throughout January to those who need it the most.
There are no banners announcing his generosity. No speeches. No social media campaigns. Just a man, a tea stall, and a deep belief in humanity.
Small Earnings, Big Impact
Shiba earns around ₹17,000 to ₹20,000 during this period an amount many would carefully save to meet their own needs. Instead, he transforms it into hope.
With his earnings, he has:
- Bought books and study materials for children living in nearby slums
- Arranged wheelchairs for people who cannot walk
- Fed the hungry and homeless
- Installed dustbins to keep his city cleaner and healthier
Each act may seem small on its own. Together, they have changed lives and attitudes around him.
Service Over Savings
What makes Shiba’s story extraordinary is not the amount he gives, but the consistency with which he gives. Year after year, without fail, he chooses service over savings. Not because he has extra. But because he believes giving is a responsibility, not a luxury.
He does not wait to become rich to help others. He proves that kindness is not measured by wealth, but by willingness.
The Power of Quiet Giving
In a world that often celebrates loud success and visible generosity, Shiba’s actions stand out for their silence. He does not seek recognition or praise. Many customers sip their tea without ever knowing the impact their coins will make.
And yet, his small stall has become a quiet engine of change a place where kindness is brewed daily, one cup at a time.
A Lesson for All of Us
Shiba Shankar Jena’s life reminds us of something deeply important:
You don’t need a big platform to make a big difference.You don’t need excess to give. And you don’t need applause to do the right thing.
In a world constantly chasing more money, more fame, more comfort his story gently asks us to pause and reflect. What if giving became a habit? What if we helped, not once, but consistently?
Conclusion
Every January, while resolutions fade and routines return, Shiba keeps his promise to humanity. His story is not just about charity. It is about character.
Because sometimes, the most powerful change doesn’t come from grand gestures.
It comes from a man, a kettle of tea, and a heart that believes kindness should never be postponed.
