Keonjhar: Life is a daily struggle for 60-year old Goutam Patra. Despite old age, Patra has been pulling trolley rickshaw in Keonjhar town over last 15 years to eke out a living.
“With earnings from rickshaw pulling, I manage my family of two. Earlier, I used to pull rickshaw, but over the years, it has become redundant. Now, trolley rickshaw is useful,” he quipped.
Goutam had wanted to run a shop and lead his life in the village, but finance was a constraint.
A resident of Patung, he preferred to live in the town to earn his livelihood since 1965. “Earlier, I used to go back to the village after end of the day. For the last 15 years, I cannot go to my village,” he added.
With meagre earnings, he is unable to afford a rented house and has to live in a shanty on the road side. He visits his village sometimes.
Well acquainted in the town, people lovingly call him Budha. The town has been endeared to him.
About his daily life, he says, “I leave my bed at 4 am. After my daily chores, I leave for the bus stand for work. I love to eat gulgula, ghuguni or any curry as breakfast. I have my lunch in any hotel and take roti and curry in dinner. Though I love them, I cannot afford non-veg items.”
“Different from other rickshaw pullers, he has no bad habits like chewing ghutka, smoking, or drinking,” says Bibhuti Pradhan, a bicycle repairing shop keeper.
Goutam is usually found waiting for work near Ram Mandira. He earns anything between Rs 100 and Rs 200 per day. After having a meal in hotel, he sleeps on the footpath.
“Like Goutam, scores of homeless people have been living on pavements in Keonjhar town for lack of night shelters. They will benefit if the government builds a night shelter in the town,” said Braja Kishrore Ray, a social activist.
With his earning, he has educated his two daughters and married them off. Goutam says age does not permit him to do this work, but it is out of compulsion. He wished if he had a shop to lead life with little physical strain.
PNN