‘Mom’s Gold Sold, Dad’s Cousin Lent Money': How A ‘Bharatiye’ Family’s Bond Built Top Doc — Time For ‘Thank Kin’ Trend?

Sometimes, behind achievements are sacrifices from family members. A recent social media post has brought attention to these unseen struggles that help shape a person’s future. The post was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a psychiatrist from Pune.

His post prompted several users to recall how their parents and relatives helped them pursue their dreams despite financial struggles.

Pune Psychiatrist Shares Family And Relatives’ Role In Supporting Education

Sharing his personal experience, Bhooshan Shula revealed how his education was made possible through financial help and sacrifices made by his family and relatives.

“Today I learned- 1. My parents had to sell off my mother’s jewellery to pay my medical college fees. One relative from the extended

family helped them buy the gold back over the next few years. 2. My father’s cousin (he passed away before my father) lent money to pay my one-year MBBS fees. It was to be returned without interest when I finished the internship. My father returned the money as agreed.”

Bhooshan mentioned he learnt about this decade-long struggle recently, “35 years after it happened.”

“I owe my education to such a benevolent extended family. Truly overwhelmed,” the psychiatrist added.

Today I learned-
1. My parents had to sell off mother's jewellery to pay my medical college fees. One relative from extended family helped them buy the gold back over next few years.
2. My father's cousin (he passed away before my father) lent money to pay my one year MBBS…

— Bhooshan Shukla (@docbhooshan) February 3, 2026

Internet On Support From Extended Family

The post resonated widely as many users shared how they discovered similar sacrifices made by their own families long after they had achieved success.

One of them commented, “There should be a trend where people recall good deeds done by their relatives. If nothing, will help the current generation to make sure their kids inherit at least a decent number of relatives.”

There should be a trend where people recall good deeds done by their relatives. If nothing, will help current generation to make sure their kids inherit at least a decent number of relatives. https://t.co/pUv7ybxFkh

— மோஹித பாரதஂவாஜ (@vvaayu) February 3, 2026

A person narrated how their father completed medical education after receiving help from a political leader: “My father did his BHMS on his own when grandpa died. Local Shivsena leader lent him some money, and he returned it after 25 years. Funny thing is, the leader himself forgot that he had helped someone. He was surprised that people like my father exist.”

My Father did his BHMS on his own when grandpa died.
Local Shivsena leader lent him some money, he returned it after 25 years. Funny thing is, that leader himself forgot that he had helped someone, He was surprised that people like my father exist.

— Amit Dubey

“In our arrogance, we imagine we are self-made. We were broken guitars that could not produce a proper sound, and so many tended us so the beautiful music could spring forth from us. A priest counselor once asked us to think about the people who made us stars/good guitars…I was in tears,” someone else remarked while another said, “This is the beauty of the family system in Bharat.”

This is the beauty of the family system in Bharat. https://t.co/epNWvXo9d1

— Shefali Vaidya.

An individual shared, “Most of us who belong to middle class have similar stories… in my case because I got merit seat the fee was few hundred rupees per year… even then it was a strain on the family of 6 living on the salary of my father… we are what we are because of our parents’ sacrifice.”

Most of us who belong to middle class have similar stories… in my case because I got merit seat the fee was few hundred rupees per year… even then it was a strain on the family of 6 living on the salary of my father… we are what we are because of our parents' sacrifice

A user in detail described how their extended family played a crucial role in helping them pursue higher studies abroad. They explained that relatives, their father’s friends and elder cousins came together to help arrange a major education loan of around €40,000 (approximately Rs 42 lakh).

The support went beyond finances: “They bought me my first laptop, my clothes and money was sent to me per month for first year so that I could eat at least once a day properly.”

They further mentioned that the coursework was completed in 1.25 years and later secured a scholarship which according to them was used for “groceries so that I could eat two meals a day.”

The user eventually enrolled for PhD and paid the loans to lenders and relatives.

“Still haven’t paid back my father yet though! Parents stay with me and he laughs it off as it being an investment and not loan when I broach topic of payback. Not exactly a story of poverty. I and my family was never really poor (not rich either but we were always well off). But point is extended family network supports each other as long as you maintain relationships with them like a decent human being. Hindu family is the greatest bulwark against depravity and loss of wealth and culture,” they mentioned.

Not Everyone Had Extended Family Backing

But not all stories spoke about strong family backing. Some users talked about how, in their journeys, support came only from parents, while extended relatives either stayed distant or created additional struggles.

An X user described their parents took major financial risks to support their ambitions despite discouragement from relatives: “Had to take a loan during undergrad. Overhead them say, ‘we’ll afford. If needed, we’ll cut a meal down.’ My silly a** wanted to get to an MS. They poured their entire life savings without a question. And during all, extended family only ensured they fucked up by misguiding. Good karma gives you good relatives. Be thankful when you get. Be ruthless when you don’t.”

Had to take a loan during undergrad. Overhead them say, "we'll afford. If needed, we'll cut a meal down."

My silly ass wanted to get to an MS. They poured their entire life savings without a question.

And during all, extended family only ensured they fucked up by misguiding.… https://t.co/163BUyDGvk

— Sriram Ammangi Velamur (@techieV2) February 3, 2026

“There were others who tried to humiliate my parents and guilt-trip me. They don’t matter. Benevolent ones held us afloat,” a commenter added.

There were others who tried to humiliate my parents and guilt trip me. They don't matter.
Benevolent ones held us afloat.

— Bhooshan Shukla (@docbhooshan) February 3, 2026

One of them shared a personal experience about losing support from extended family after their mother passed away. They explained that many relatives distanced themselves during that difficult phase. Their father handled everything alone “without any loans from his own earnings, mom’s pension, my own scholarship funds (25-30%) and household.”

Half the family cut ties after mom passed away. Rest never bothered. Dad is a generational goat for managing my education without any loans from his own earnings, mom's pension, my own scholarship funds (25-30%) and household. Always grateful. https://t.co/f3xOJ6W2qk

— Jugglingchores (@Vandiyadevan_27) February 3, 2026

The user felt immense gratitude towards their father, calling him a “generational GOAT.”