Kolkata balloon seller, 70, walks for hours to find customers and earn Rs 150 per day

An Instagram video has spotlighted Samir Kaka, a 70-year-old balloon seller who walks long distances to earn a living. His routine, despite illness and low daily earnings, will leave you teary-eyed.A 70-year-old balloon seller from Kolkata has gone viral for his inspiring story of perseverance. (Photos: storiesbyaradhana/instagram)Kolkata,Sep 30, 2026 16:43 ISTEvery day in Kolkata’s Thakurpukur, 70-year-old Samir Kaka walks 8 km with a bunch of balloons, spending hours looking for customers to support his family.A video shared on Instagram by creator Aradhana Chatterjee introduced viewers to the elderly balloon seller and his daily routine. She recalled noticing the elderly man slowly making his way through the streets, limping as he carried a bunch of balloons in his hands.“I noticed this old man slowly walking while limping through the streets with balloons in his hands, trying to sell them to make a living. He was looking around, trying to find customers,” she said.Samir walks around 4 km from his rented home to the place where he sells balloons. After spending more than six hours there trying to find customers, he walks another 4 km back home. That means an 8-km daily commute, followed by hours of waiting for someone to buy a balloon.Samir has been selling balloons for the past 26 years. But his journey has not been easy. He suffered a stroke that left him paralysed for several years and affected his ability to straighten his neck properly. He also lives with a severe skin condition affecting his feet, making it painful and difficult for him to walk. Yet, he continues to make the same journey every day.The video revealed that Samir earns around Rs 150 on a typical day. He is also the sole earning member of his family of five, making the modest income crucial for those who rely on him.Despite his age, physical difficulties and the long hours spent waiting for customers, Samir continues to show up with his balloons each day. His routine may appear ordinary from a distance, but behind those colourful balloons is a man determined to keep his family going.Watch the video here:Aradhana Chatterjee’s video touched many viewers, who appreciated her for documenting Samir’s story and bringing attention to his everyday struggle.Several people blessed her for sharing stories of people like Samir, while others thanked her for helping bring visibility to someone simply trying to make a living.For Samir, however, the next day will likely look much like the last, an 8-km walk, hours on the streets and a bunch of balloons in his hands, hoping someone stops to buy one.- Ends