The Samosa Sage of social media

Raju Korti
There are some people you have never met, yet they walk into your day with such familiarity that you feel you have known them for years. My Facebook friend Ravi Chhabra belongs to that rare tribe. The kind whose posts don’t merely scroll past your eyes but linger in your mind like a favourite tune long after the music has stopped.

And if there is one irresistible overture that announces Ravi’s arrival on your timeline, it is gloriously, unapologetically the alluring, appetising samosa. Golden, plump, crisp at the edges and flanked by emerald-green chutney and tamarind gloss, Ravi Bhai’s samosas don’t just sit there as food photographs. They perform. They beckon. They practically whisper, “Go find one. Now.” One can almost hear the crunch through the screen. I often imagine half his friends abandoning their phones mid-scroll, scurrying toward the nearest snack stall like pilgrims answering a sacred call.

Ravi Chhabra (from his FB wall)

Samosas, in Ravi Bhai’s world, are not merely snacks. They are celebration, comfort, nostalgia, and joy folded neatly into triangular perfection. Yet, the delicious irony and charm lie in the fact that this great admirer of good food is no reckless indulger. Dietary restrictions keep his cravings politely in check. The posts are sometimes longing glances, sometimes playful temptations, and often simply Ravi Bhai sharing happiness in its crispiest form. For him, loving food isn’t gluttony; it is appreciation. Geography doesn’t matter. Taste does. From street corners to distant cuisines, good food is good food. From the crisp southern elegance of a dosa to other regional delights, his palate travels India with the same curiosity his mind brings to life.

But Ravi Bhai is far more than a man with a poetic relationship with snacks. An engineer by training and an MBA by qualification, he carries vast experience across industries and classrooms alike. Teaching, mentoring, guiding students through projects. These aren’t sidelines for him; they are passions. He shapes minds with the same care with which a master cook folds spices into filling: thoughtfully, patiently, meaningfully.

Then comes music, his emotional sanctuary. Old Hindi songs are not just entertainment for Ravi Bhai; they are time machines, therapy sessions, and soulful companions. He belongs to a close-knit group called RTS Romancing The Song, where melodies from another era still breathe, sigh, and stir memories. One can almost picture him humming softly, letting Kishore Kumar’s warmth or Rafi’s velvet notes drift through his evenings.

Words, too, find a loving home in Ravi Bhai’s world. Poetry, shayari, clever puns, witty lines, motivational thoughts -- he savours them all. And sometimes, he creates his own, tossing out limericks with playful rhythm or quotes that gently nudge you toward reflection. His humour sparkles without being loud; his wisdom lands without being heavy.

Yet beneath the lightness runs a deep, steady river of thought. For over a decade, Ravi Bhai has immersed himself in Vedanta, drawing not just knowledge but nourishment for the soul. The profound verses he shares from the Bhagavad Gita aren’t ornamental quotes meant for likes. They are lived philosophies. Through them, you sense a man learning continuously how to live better, kinder, and more meaningfully. And as if intellect, music, humour, and spirituality weren’t enough, compassion quietly crowns it all.

Ravi Bhai volunteers with Maya Care, an organisation that serves the elderly and empowers the physically challenged through training and employment. It is service not worn like a badge but practiced like a habit -- natural, sincere, and steady.

In Ravi Bhai, you encounter a rare blend: A samosa-loving philosopher, a music-soaked mentor, a humourist with depth, a professional with purpose, a thinker who serves. His timeline is like a well-curated thali. A little spice of wit, a generous helping of wisdom, soulful music on the side, thoughtful reflection as dessert, and of course, the ever-present, mouth-watering samosa at the centre.

Some people shout on social media. Some sell. Some sermonise. Ravi Bhai simply shares: joy, thought, flavour, and feeling. And in doing so, he reminds us that life doesn’t have to be lived in extremes. It can be savoured like a perfectly fried samosa. Crisp on the outside, rich within, and best when enjoyed slowly.

One post at a time.