We’ve all been there—getting down to the last few rupees in our wallet and wondering how to survive till the next payday. But what if I told you that I embarked on a 24-hour challenge where I had to live on just Rs 55 in the beautiful land of Odisha? It sounds crazy, right? Well, it was—and hilarious too.
So, buckle up, grab your popcorn (and maybe a few extra snacks, because trust me, you’ll need them), and join me as I walk you through my epic survival journey!
The Challenge: How Did It All Begin?
It started innocently enough—my friend Pari, the brains behind the Learn With Pari website, challenged me to live on a mere Rs 55 for an entire day in Odisha. To make things interesting (and by “interesting” I mean “absolutely chaotic”), the challenge was to not use any savings or hidden emergency funds. Yes, you read that right—I had Rs 55 and that was it.
Now, before you start thinking I’m insane, let me just say that Rs 55 isn’t entirely impossible for survival in Odisha, but it is stretching the limits of what you might consider humanly possible.
6 AM: The Great Morning Debate
The first test of my strength came at 6 AM when my stomach woke up with a vengeance. It was telling me it was time for breakfast. But, alas, Rs 55 is far from a hearty breakfast. So, I did what any sensible person would do—I went straight to the cheapest tea stall I could find.
A cup of tea for Rs 10. A small victory! I sipped my chai, feeling like a millionaire… until I realized I had only Rs 45 left. So much for the breakfast dreams!
9 AM: The Quest for Cheap Food
I’m now on a mission to find something to eat that won’t cost me more than Rs 45. I find myself standing in front of a street vendor selling dosa (you know, that crispy, delicious, golden pancake that the food gods have gifted us?). But, alas, it was Rs 50 for a full dosa. There’s no way I’m breaking my budget for one dosa!
Instead, I settled for a vada pav (you know, those little fried potato fritters in a bun) for Rs 15. That’s Rs 30 gone in a blink of an eye. But at least I wasn’t hungry! At this rate, I’ll be living on vada pav and tea for the rest of my life—or at least the next 12 hours.
12 PM: The Struggle Is Real
By noon, I was in full “budget warrior” mode. I had Rs 30 left, and somehow, I was still alive. It’s around this time I started to wonder: Is it even possible to live on Rs 55 in Odisha?
For lunch, I decided to take the low-road approach. I found a small local dhaba (roadside eatery) where I could get a plate of rice and dal for Rs 20. Victory! This was a much-needed morale booster.
However, what they didn’t tell me was that it tasted like a dish made by an intern who just started their first week of cooking at a roadside restaurant. But at least I wasn’t starving, right?
3 PM: A Very Unfortunate Situation
Things took a turn when I realized I still had only Rs 10 left and it was starting to get hot. My thirst for water had reached new heights. But wait—water’s free, right? Well, in some places yes, but not when you’re trying to impress your friends with your “frugalness.” So, I ended up drinking water from the street vendor’s “free water bucket.” Spoiler: It was lukewarm and tasted like the whole street had taken a sip.
Still, I lived to see 4 PM. You know what they say, you’ll always remember your first near-death experience.
6 PM: The Final Stretch
By 6 PM, I was down to a mere Rs 5. Five rupees. Can you believe it? At this point, I considered trading my pride for a samosa. However, I decided to hold off and channel my inner survivalist.
I walked over to the nearest fruit vendor and got one small banana for Rs 5. It was the most glorious banana I had ever eaten, like a golden trophy at the end of my 24-hour challenge. Sweet, soft, and surprisingly filling. I felt like I could conquer the world… if the world would accept me as a person who lives on just Rs 55.
The Verdict: Was I Successful?
In conclusion, my 24-hour living on Rs 55 challenge in Odisha was successful—but just barely. I survived, I laughed, and I cried (mostly from hunger).
Key lessons learned:
- Plan your meals better: Rs 55 will not get you the full buffet experience. But it will get you some tea and a decent vada pav.
- Never underestimate the power of a banana: The banana might be small, but it can save your soul.
- Street food = budget-friendly: Odisha’s street food vendors are where you’ll find your best (and cheapest) options.
Would I recommend this challenge? Absolutely—if you have a sense of humor and a love for adventure. But if you’re planning to try this challenge yourself, don’t forget to pack a lot of patience, a very empty stomach, and a big, juicy fruit for the last hour.
And there you have it: the ultimate Rs 55 survival challenge in Odisha! Let’s just say, I’ll never look at street food (or bananas) the same way again.
Stay tuned for more hilarious, frugal adventures here at Learn with Pari—where we put your survival skills to the test, one crazy challenge at a time!
