Dal chawal, speaking in Hindi and a Pakistani cab driver: Ankur Warikoo recalls his Japan trip

Travelling often brings unexpected stories, and for entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo, his recent Japan trip turned out to be one filled with nostalgia, cultural connections, and simple joys. From meeting a cab driver who spoke in Hindi to finding comfort in a plate of dal chawal back home, Warikoo shared a heartfelt reflection on how little moments can spark the biggest emotions.

Warikoo revealed on LinkedIn that while travelling in Japan, he and his companions were pleasantly surprised to learn that their cab driver was from Pakistan. The shared language instantly broke the ice, and soon they were chatting about his upbringing, the cultural overlaps, and the familiar warmth of home. For Warikoo, speaking Hindi in a foreign land felt unexpectedly heartwarming.

But the nostalgia didn’t end there. After returning from his travels, he sat down to eat MTR dal chawal, and the very first bite felt like comfort on a plate. It reminded him of how easily we overlook these everyday joys—whether it’s food, language, or a sense of belonging—until we are away from them.

Reflecting on this, Warikoo called it a beautiful irony. He urged his followers to cherish the little things they often take for granted, because one day, they will form the “good old days” that everyone looks back on.


Netizens react
Some users felt that Warikoo’s story carried a sense of awakening, a moment that makes one more mindful about how we experience and cherish things without taking them for granted. Many pointed out how such realisations often hit like a shift in perspective, making everyday details feel more meaningful and helping us slow down to value the present. Others called it a beautiful reminder of how travel connects people in unexpected ways and highlights the comfort of simple joys—like dal chawal after a long trip. For some, it showed the irony that absence can make the most ordinary things unforgettable.