Hassan: Though physically challenged, he earns his own livelihood with dignity

By Alvin Mendonca
Bellevision Media Network

Hassan, 26 May 2013: He is physically challenged by birth, speaks in his own language and people do understand. Even though he has problem in his legs he can walk fast. He does not use wrist watch but he is punctual and model for youngsters. He works for news paper agency and earns his daily bread. His work starts at 4.45am and finishes by late evening. He knows every bus that passes through, bus routes and timings and delivers news paper bundles on time to all buses. Reaches every house of Belur town early morning and deliver news papers.

Sandeep, 25 years, is physically challenged but he earns his own daily bread. He gets up at 4am every day and walks to the newspaper agency in Belur town. He collects news paper bundles from distributor vehicle and arranges them. Later, he  distributes it to every readers of Belur town. He is illiterate but makes sure that newspapers reach to every address on time. “He knows which route bus reaches at what time to the bus stand and which news paper to deliver in it”, says news paper agency owner, Laxmisha.
Sandeep maintains the account of every rupee and gets to office. In addition he expects only a cup of tea and bread for his breakfast in the morning. Sometimes he himself gets tea and bun for others. Whenever he is on duty he would be on time and makes others to follow him. In case if anyone fails to reach office on time in the morning he shouts at him in his language. “Even though he has no time piece in his hand he has sense of  time”, Laxmisha added.

 

Chethan Kishore, who runs a studio in Belur says that, “Sandeep is very friendly with everyone. He is physically challenged but works more than a commoner. He has poverty at home but doesn’t receive any money from anyone. Many of the time we tried offering him tea but he does not accept it. He has self respect. He does not have any bad habit. Every day he is perfect on duty and does it on time and he is good to everyone”, he said.

 Savithri, mother of Sandeep says that poverty has driven her son to work in newspaper agency. Though they had applied for financial  help for handicaps  from the government , there is no response from the government agencies.