Banarpal: People visiting the ‘Tulasi’ dhaba here must have seen a person draped in loin cloth washing dishes and other utensils. Nothing strange it would seem. But no, there is a tale of agony associated with him which has forced him to lead such a pitiable life.
The man is 65-year-old Sudhakar Mohanty of Gandanali village under Hindol block in Dhenkanal district. A physically-challenged person, since birth, Sudhakar cannot perform strenuous jobs. Washing dishes at various eateries for the last 25 years has been his mode of survival. Yet he has no regrets.
“I am an illiterate,” admits Sudhakar while adding that financial constraints prevented him from getting educated. “When my parents were alive they saw to it that I never went to bed on an empty stomach. But now they are not there, so I have to fend for myself. I cannot do labourious jobs due to my physical conditions, so cleaning up dishes and utensils is the best option for me,” he adds.
In the last 25 years, Sudhakar has worked in 10-15 eateries. However, 20 of those years he has spent at the Tulasi dhaba at the Nalco area here. Sitting on a chair (for his disability) he washes close to 200 plates and other utensils every day. In return, his employer gives him four square meals a day and some money as well. Sudhakar states that he always saves a portion of his salary for emergency and then spends the rest for other needs.
What has made you serve Tulasi dhaba for 20 years? “I am always honest to my job. My employer likes my honesty and sincerity. He also understands my disability and behaves with me very politely,” answers Sudhakar.
Sudhakar, however, has remained deprived from the state government’s various programmes for the physically-disabled. “I know that I am eligible to get pension. I have filed many applications and have visited various administrative offices on a regular basis. But it seems that my pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” he laments.
“Yet I have no complaint. My only wish is to die while I remain active in my job,” he adds holding a pile of washed plates.
Local people have urged the district administration to provide immediate financial support to Sudhakar. Let’s see whether finally some luck smiles on the man.
PNN
