Bhawanipatna: A small-time cycle repair shop owner, Ajit Katta, is known more for his charity than what he is known professionally.
Ajit, a resident of Shiv Mandir Pada of Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district, lives in a hut, with his wife Bhumisuta, son and a daughter. A small cycle repair shop at Bhawanipatna’s Jagannath road is his only source of income.
His shop opens early in the morning. Locals say they hardly ever see Ajit haggling for money. He happily keeps whatever he is offered for his labour, they observe.
Obvious as it is that the earnings from his shop are hardly enough to meet the daily expenses of his family, yet he saves something for a rainy day and philanthropic activities.
Going by his charitable activities, Ajit is often considered synonymous with altruism. Interestingly, Ajit withdraws part of his savings to feed beggars once a week and he gets immense pleasure from feeding them.
“The moment I notice a smile on the lips of beggars while they are having their lunch, it soothes my heart. The pleasure I get by giving something to the needy is inexplicable. It is divine. It is aptly said – Service to mankind is service to God,” he said.
When asked what makes him so generous, he replied, “I was born in a poor family. I still live in poverty. As I have seen poverty from close quarters, I know the pain of going without food. This is the reason I give food to the hungry once a week which is within my capacity.”
