Dhenkanal: Visually-challenged Ramchandra, 62, has put up with it all obstacles from his childhood. His difficulties have not deterred him from doing his job, but made him a strong man.
While people of his age are taking rest after retirement, there is no end to hard work for Ramchandra, who sells calendars for a living. Ramchandra is not tired of his job. “So long as my legs and hands keep working, I will continue to do my job honestly. The rest is in the hands of the Lord,” Ramchandra quips.
His work and dedication has earned him a reputation in his area. Popularly, known as the Calendar man, it is all about travelling from place to place and selling calendars that earns bread for Ramchandra.
Ramchandra’s dedication has inspired many youngsters in his area. For him no job is small and no religion is greater than a job that feeds your belly.
Ramchandra’s story is awe-inspiring. He was four-year-old when a deadly disease affected his eye sight. His family members failed to arrange for his treatment which left him blind for life.
Not losing his spirit, he started selling calendars and pocket books from the age of 12. He overcame all obstacles and began travelling from village to village selling books and calendars at bus-stands and railway stations.
No one wanted to marry him as he was blind. Later, his relatives arranged a girl for his marriage. After marriage his wife helped him through the highs and lows.
The couple became parents to a child. However, destiny had more hardships for him. He had just started living a normal life when his wife died due to cancer, leaving him to take care of their child.
He worked hard and his son now works as a mason in the area. But, Ramchandra is not keen to give up his job. However, due to old age, he confines himself to selling calendars in Dhenkanal town although he used to travel to Khurda, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack earlier.
“Never underestimate anyone, even your servant. Do your job and leave it in the hands of Lord Jagannath,” Ramchandra says.
PNN