When money ran out, hope did not. At an age when most people struggle to walk long distances, a 70-year-old rickshaw puller from Odisha chose the road pedalling for days so his wife could stay alive.

Babu Lohar, who lives in Modipada village of Sambalpur district, faced an impossible choice after his wife Jyoti suffered a paralytic stroke in November. Doctors advised immediate advanced treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. With no savings and no ambulance within reach, Lohar turned his only possession, his rickshaw into a lifeline. Old cushions were spread across the wooden seat, creating a fragile bed for his paralysed wife.

Day after day, Lohar pushed forward under the open sky, covering around 30 kilometres daily. Nights were spent beside roadside shops, resting on the ground. After nine exhausting days, the couple finally reached Cuttack, where Jyoti underwent nearly two months of treatment.

On January 19, they began their return journey home, again on the same rickshaw. But fate tested them once more. Near Choudwar, a passing vehicle struck the rickshaw, throwing Jyoti onto the road and injuring her head. Without panic or delay, Lohar rushed her to the nearest community health centre in Tangi. Doctors treated her injuries, provided food and offered shelter for the night.

Even when police officer Bikash Sethi offered to arrange a vehicle, Lohar refused. “His determination and emotional attachment are deeply moving,” Sethi said.

For Lohar, the choice was never complicated. “I have two loves in my life. One is my wife whom I am taking back home, and the other is my rickshaw van. I cannot leave either of them,” he said quietly while continuing his journey.

Recalling the start of the trip, he said, “I did not have money to hire any vehicle, so I took out my rickshaw van. I put some old cushions on the rickshaw and let my wife lie on them. I pedalled chanting God’s name.”

Their story has moved thousands across the country. While many praised Lohar’s strength, others questioned the harsh reality faced by poor families. One social media user wrote, “This is a powerful testament to love and resilience. It sheds light on the critical need for accessible healthcare and transport in underserved communities. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story.” Another added, “I really doubt if governance continues this way, then how will poor people survive. There is literally a big crisis happening with poor people, and no government wishes to solve it.”

What began as a desperate act of survival has now become a symbol of unconditional love: a man, a rickshaw, and a promise to never leave his wife behind.