By Dipchand Bihari
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 14: Being differently-abled is not an insurmountable barrier. That is the message sent out by Pradeep Kuman Sahoo and Deenabandhu Sahoo, who are setting an example for the differently-abled.
Deenabandhu has not been able to walk since 1976, having lost his limbs in an accident. However, that did not stop him.
The 66-year-old former employee of the Reserve Bank of India, who is the son of freedom fighter Swapneswara Sahoo, instead helps others like him become self-reliant through the Swapna Trust that he runs. Till now about 50 differently-abled people have become self-reliant because of the efforts of the trust and now are able to earn `4,000-5,000 every month.
He has also established several organisations and special schools for the disabled, including the Patitapabana School for Deaf and Dumb at Nimapada, Vira Surendra Sae School at Sambalpur and Iswar School for persons with mental disability at Bhubaneswar.
Pradeep, whose leg was partially damaged because of bone cancer when he was much younger, believes that being differently-abled himself he can understand the pain of others like him. Now 28 years old, Pradeep drives an autorickshaw for earning his livelihood and also gives free auto rides to the disabled in Bhubaneswar.
The disability is not the only obstacle that Pradeep had to overcome. “I’m from a poor family in Dhenkanal district. After failing my matriculation exam in 2004, I didn’t want to be a burden on my father and came to Bhubaneswar and started working in a garage,” said Pradeep, who now earns `500 per day.
His message to other differently abled people: “Have confidence and you shall be able to overcome obstacles.”