Crippled by Endosulfan, he Lives with Dignity

  •   Tue, Nov 06 2012
  •   By Deekshith D V

November 7, 2012

Every person lives his life cherishing great dreams. Some dreams come true, but some are shattered even before they bloom. In his journey of life, man strives for a happy and prosperous life. Throughout his life he comes across pain, frustration, and so on.

Here is a story of a 27-year-old man, who lives in Beltangady taluk’s Kokkada village, who cannot walk or run as a normal person can, but lives his life with greater dignity than most.

Sharif, a young, handsome man, has lost sensation in both his legs from below the waist. “I lost sensation in the legs when I was two years old,” says Sharif, his eyes welling with tears.

The reason behind the incident is not an accident, but a man-made catastrophe, a disaster which ruined several lives, leaving them to misery. Endosulfan.

Sharif’s father was a poor farmer who spent lacs of rupees on Sharif's treatment. But it was of no use. There are more than 210 endosulfan victims whose condition is worse and pathetic. Even though Sharif’s legs are paralysed, he wants to lead an independent, self-reliant life, as he does not want to be a burden on his family. He works in a small scale bag production industry.

He earns nearly two to three thousand rupees per month. Sharif says, “I get one thousand rupees as pension from the government, three thousand rupees I earn from my work, but unfortunately, all my earnings go to the hospital for my treatment." Sharif has two children who suffer from endosulfan problems, contracted genetically through their father.

Though this story seems simple, it shows the psyche of a handicapped person, his desire to lead life in a self-reliant way, in contrast to the present scenario where a normal man depends on another for every second of his survival!

Today, youth waste their time by bantering in streets with no job, get addicted to liquor, and tobacco. But, the story of an endosulfan victim, who, despite several problems in his family, never gave up his struggle, is heart rendering.

Not a single NGO or the government has come to his aid.

Through his struggle and confidence, Sharif has shown the way to a common man on how one can lead a better life. He has been a real inspiration to all.

 

 
By Deekshith D V
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Comment on this article

  • paul d`souza, balakunje

    Thu, Nov 22 2012

    One should strongly asked government for providing such STRONG chemical to its citizen & making them disabled. Not only sharief is suffering, there are several families disabled under this powerfull chemical. Some associations must come forward to help them & ask compensation for bringing their life to this shape.

  • sathya narayana T, chikkaballapur

    Sun, Nov 18 2012

    sharif is became a model to others and god bless him. narreted style is good.

  • Ims, Doha Qatar

    Mon, Nov 12 2012

    Dear Mr Sharief Bhai..you are great self esteem man in the world .You are real model for us. Dnt worry God with you sharief..My hearty wishes for your bright future..GOD BLESS YOU SIR..

  • Sudhakar, USA/Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 10 2012

    After seeing these incidents, one must remember to make things better for oneself, acquaintances, neighbors. All this to the extent one can nothing special expected. Pin down animosity caused due to any reason and think of doing good only. To me it is an awakening. In this context, my parents always used to say in the end it is only the good things one cherishes.

  • dsilva, mlore

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    endosulfan is one of the most toxic pesticides in the market today and used as well as produced extensively in China and India. It is toxic and may cause can or in general be very fatal.

    For a person and his children to be affected by this putting his life and that of his children at a risk. Leaving him crippled not just physically but also emotionally. Yet this man continues to carry on his work and efforts to live a normal life.

    No one may have come forward to help but there is a God up above who happens to be watching. This man will be blessed abundantly for sure.

  • R.Bhandarkar., M

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    'Sharif' is ko kehate hain...God bless!

  • SP Shetty, Bangalore

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    Hatss off Sharif Bhaii ... God bless u.

  • Proud to an Indian, Bangalore-Dxb

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    Mr. sharief good effort.God is always with you.

  • Aam Admi, India

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    Sharif Bhai ko Salam. Keep it up brother.


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