For runners, staying hydrated is as important as tying their shoelaces. Especially in Mumbai, where the city’s infamous humidity can drain you of energy faster than you realize, a refreshing drink during a long run can feel like a lifeline. That’s why a small but powerful gesture – a glass of nimbu pani – can make all the difference.
And for the past 12 years, Rajesh Shah has been that lifeline for countless runners on South Mumbai’s Peddar Road. He has been quietly supporting runners with free lemonade every morning.
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Recently, Shah’s story came to light when he was featured in a video by the Tata Mumbai Marathon. The video starts with runner Piyush Gadda, who had earlier shared a clip online praising Shah’s gesture, saying, “There’s a runner I don’t know, but every morning, he provides free nimbu pani for all the runners on Peddar Road. It’s so damn refreshing.”
The mystery man was revealed to be Rajesh Shah, who shared how this beautiful tradition began. Shah explained that during his own running days, he would keep a water bottle on Peddar Road to stay hydrated. Over time, he noticed other runners also struggling to stay refreshed and decided to step in.
Initially, Shah carried 4-5 bottles of lemonade in his bag, but as more runners began depending on him, he found a larger bag to accommodate 6-7 bottles. The nimbu pain is prepared by his partner in this initiative named Sanjay and then the bottles are kept in the fridge.
Every morning at 5:30 AM, Shah places the bottles on Peddar Road. When he realized some runners started earlier, he adjusted his timing to ensure no one missed out.
“I feel it’s my duty to be there every week. Because they know now that every week it is there. I just feel it needs to be there,” he shared.
Have a look at the video here:
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Several people online lauded his gesture and showered immense love on him. Here’s what they had to say:
In a world where people often expect something in return for their efforts, Rajesh Shah’s selfless act reminds us of the beauty of giving.