Praise from Modi motivates disabled beggar to help more

Pathankot: Since the beginning of lockdown , Raju — a disabled man who begs for a living in Pathankot and found a mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s latest ‘Mann Ki Baat’ — has been arranging help from individuals and organisations and helping it reach other lesser privileged people.

He claims to have distributed ration worth Rs 3 lakh and face masks worth Rs 5,000 and is continuing to do so.

On Sunday, Raju attracted media attention after Modi heaped praise on him for helping others during trying times. Modi, in the 65th broadcast of his radio address ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Sunday, said he had come to know of Divyang Raju. “Raju through a small investment raised with help from others got over 3,000 masks made and distributed them. In these difficult times, Raju arranged food for nearly 100 families,” he said.

“PM made my day by referring to me in ‘Maan Ki Baat’. I want to continue serving humanity, like I am doing now,” Raju said.

Raju can be seen begging on his tricycle in market areas of Pathankot and had helped in fixing a small bridge on Dhangu Road in Pathankot. About 30 years ago, his parents died and there was no help extended to him by his three brothers and three sisters. They have never met him since.

He said he begs and takes people’s help only to further extend help to people like him. “I have nothing in my account. I collect daan (donations) from people and distribute it further. I have distributed face masks worth Rs 5,000, 30 tricycles and ration worth Rs 3 lakh since lockdown ” he said.

“I collect a rupee or two or ten from houses, purchase ration and distribute further,” he said, adding that he had distributed ration worth Rs 50,000 in last couple of days.

He described himself as some who had the people’s blessings. He added there were many people who collected ration or other help, but never did anything for the needy . He urged PM to open a sewing centre for poor girls. “I wish to have my office in that sewing centre, so I could extend help to them. I am also contributing to the marriage of a poor girl in the first week of June,” he added.