Can a Mistake Change Your Life?

They say every mistake teaches us a lesson, but can the biggest mistake of your life turn out to be the best decision you ever made? This is the story of Mohan, a simple village boy whose hard work and humanity transformed his destiny.

Mohan lived in a small village called Haripur in Bihar with his elderly parents and younger sister. Poverty had gripped their family for generations. His father, Ram Lal, was too old to work in the fields, and his mother was frequently ill. The responsibility of supporting the family fell entirely on 22-year-old Mohan’s shoulders. Mohan dreamed of securing a government job to lift his family out of the depths of poverty.

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He worked tirelessly, spending his days in the fields and his nights studying under the dim light of an oil lamp. His dedication paid off when he passed the railway clerk exam. It was a moment of pride for the entire village, but one final hurdle remained—the interview in Delhi.

When the interview letter arrived, the family celebrated like it was Diwali. His mother handed him ₹100 from her torn sari and said, “Take this, son, and eat something on the way.” His father’s eyes were filled with tears of pride, and his sister washed and ironed his old shirt to pack it in his bag. Mohan promised his parents he wouldn’t let their hopes down.

At Patna station, Mohan arrived to catch the train to Delhi. Overwhelmed by the noise and chaos, he asked a porter for directions. The porter pointed him toward Platform 5. In his haste, Mohan boarded the train without checking the destination board. The train began its journey, and Mohan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he was on his way to Delhi.

Hours later, a ticket inspector (TTE) arrived and checked Mohan’s ticket. To Mohan’s shock, the TTE informed him that he was on the wrong train—it was heading to Howrah, not Delhi. Following protocol, the TTE made Mohan disembark at the next station. It was midnight, and the station was deserted. Mohan sat on a cold bench, devastated, as his dreams and hard work seemed to crumble before him.

But fate had other plans. At the station, Mohan noticed an elderly man lying unconscious. Despite his own despair, Mohan’s humanity awakened. He rushed to help the man, fetched water, and treated him with medicine he managed to find in a nearby village.

The next morning, the man regained consciousness. He was none other than Seth Ramnivas Goyal, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist. Seth Ramnivas was deeply moved by Mohan’s selflessness. Upon hearing Mohan’s story—his family’s struggles, the missed interview, and his sacrifices—Seth Ramnivas made a life-changing decision.

He called the railway chairman and explained Mohan’s situation. “This young man risked his future to save a stranger’s life. His character is worth more than any interview,” Seth Ramnivas said. The chairman agreed, and Mohan was offered the railway clerk position. Seth Ramnivas didn’t stop there—he cleared Mohan’s family debts, arranged his sister’s wedding, and ensured their financial stability.

Mohan’s life transformed, but he never lost his humility or humanity.

This story reminds us that even the wrong path can lead to the right destination if our intentions and actions are pure. Humanity never goes unnoticed, and every dark night is followed by a bright dawn.