Post News Network
Kendrapara, Sept 6: The desire of a visually impaired Dalit man to make his presence felt in the society has attracted attention of one and all in the district as he earns livelihood by selling newspapers in township area.
Though, he cannot read, he helps other read their morning dose of the printed world since last 10 years. Meet visually impaired Aditya Prasad Mallick (34), a resident of Bhamardiapatana village in Kendrapara township area. He is the youngest among his three siblings.
While many hawkers commute on bicycles, he reaches out to customers on foot carrying a stick in one hand and a bagful of newspapers in the other. Daily he walks nearly five kilometre from Tinimuhani to Sanamangala square to sell newspapers. He is presently catering newspapers to more than 300 households and shops in the district.
He identifies the newspapers just by touching the newsprint and the most surprising fact is hardly he commits any mistake in delivering newspapers, to concerned customer, said Baisnab Panda, a customer of Aditya from Keshpur bazaar.
According to Aditya, he is quite familiar with the households of his customers. Everyday, he collects newspapers from Tinimuhani-based agents and treks five kilometres for delivering the papers at people’s door steps and also hawks them on the way.
He was visually impaired among his siblings, so his siblings neglected him. As a result, he decided to become self-reliant and did not want to be a burden his family. He contacted his friend Manoranjan Satapathy and sought his suggestion, who advised him of paper hawking business.
“Taking motivation from my friend, I started selling newspapers since 2005. Initially, I faced problems, but now I can tell you the name of the newspaper simply by touching it without any difficulties. Whether it is a rainy day or chilly winter morning, my first priority is to drop newspapers at the houses of my customers ,”said Aditya.
Now, he manages to earn Rs 4000 per month and lead a dignified life without getting sympathy from others.
For hundreds of physically disabled and visually impaired youths, Aditya has become
a source of inspiration in the district.