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‘Little things matter’: Mom secretly packs daughter’s favourite food as she travels to Delhi, her reaction goes viral

A daughter travelling back to Delhi found a sweet surprise packed by her mother in her trolley bag.

Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 17:11:23 IST
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For many Indians living away from home, a packed bag of homemade food can feel like a little piece of home. One woman’s emotional reaction after discovering that her mother had secretly packed her favourite snacks has struck a chord with the Internet.

Daughter finds homemade treats in her trolley. (Instagram/@skyettarious)
Daughter finds homemade treats in her trolley. (Instagram/@skyettarious)

The post was shared on Instagram by user Akanksha, who was travelling from her hometown to Delhi. She said she had specifically asked her mother not to pack anything for her before leaving.

However, when she reached Indore to catch her bus to Delhi, her mother called and asked her to open her trolley bag.

“Open your trolley bag. I’ve kept your favourite ghee parathas,” her mother told her.

Akanksha said she was not expecting anything else. But when she opened the bag, she found not just the parathas but also a packet of moong dal.

(Also Read: ‘Khaane mein thodi dikkat, baaki sab badhiya’: Daughter shares dad’s US review after 1 month)

The reason? Her mother knew her daughter could not eat the parathas without her favourite namkeen.

“I was not expecting anything else. But when I opened it, I found a moong dal ka packet with my favourite ghee parathas, because she knows that I can’t have anything without namkeen,” Akanksha said in the video.

She was visibly touched by the thoughtful gesture and said such small things mean even more when you live away from your parents.

“If you’re living away from your parents, you understand how little things matter. I’m just speechless right now, and this means everything to me,” she said.

Ending the video on an emotional note, she added, “So Mama, if you’re watching this, I love you, and you’re the best.”

Check out the full video below:

Internet says ‘Maa toh maa hi hoti hai’

The heartwarming moment resonated with many users, who shared their own memories of mothers packing food for them.

“Mummas are the best,” one person wrote, while another said, “I cry my heart out seeing my travel lunchbox every single time I leave. It’s just pure love.”

“You made me emotional,” read another comment.

Some users also picked up on the Indore connection, with one joking, “Say you are an Indori without saying you are an Indori,” while another declared, “Without namkeen nothing to eat is real.”

Others urged Akanksha to cherish such moments with her mother. “Always cherish these moments and love her all you can,” a user commented.

(Also Read: Uttar Pradesh-born man in UK shares dad’s reaction to his sudden JP Morgan layoff: ‘Worried about my mental health’)

Another recalled how special a mother’s tiffin becomes after marriage, writing, “Mumma and tiffin box are special especially after getting married. I savour every last bit of snack in that tiffin which I barely cared about before.”

“Maa toh maa hi hoti hai,” summed up another user.

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

  • Vaishali Kapila
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Vaishali Kapila

    Vaishali Kapila is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, where she covers internet culture, viral social media moments, human interest stories and workplace trends. She believes the best stories often come from ordinary experiences and everyday conversations. Through her stories, she aims to help readers understand not just what is trending, but why it matters. Born and brought up in Chandigarh and now based in Delhi, Vaishali has over five years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining Hindustan Times, she worked as a Sub Editor at NDTV, where she specialised in food and travel writing. Over the years, she has written and edited stories on recipes, nutrition, restaurants, destinations and travel trends, while building expertise in digital storytelling, search-driven journalism and audience-focused content. Today, her work spans a wide range of topics, including consumer issues, lifestyle, workplace trends and stories that reflect everyday life. She enjoys finding fresh angles, speaking with people and adding the context that helps readers make sense of a story. Vaishali holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism with a specialisation in New Media from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. When she is not working, Vaishali enjoys exploring new places, trying local food and documenting her experiences through a food Instagram page she runs with her husband. She also enjoys watching documentaries, learning about space and science, and exploring stories about different cultures and people.Read More

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