Daijiworld Media Network - Byndoor (SP)

Byndoor, Oct 29: Balakrishnan V from Mudoor-Udayanagara in Jadkal village near here has been identified as a progressive farmer. The man, even at 58, has never allowed his enthusiasm to lead a self-reliant life to wane. Born with physical deformity, Balakrishnan has emerged as a role model for others like him.

Overlooking his handicap, Balakrishnan grows about 5,000 to 6,000 saplings in his nursery plantation spread over an acre of land. In this nursery, he does almost all work like planting of the seeds or saplings, feeding soil or manure as necessary, spraying of insecticide etc on his own.

He has been growing good quality saplings of rubber, black pepper, areca, cashew, mango and medicinal plants at a low cost. He sells them as per the demand of the people at reasonable prices and earns good income. He supports and lives with his aged mother, young brother Venugopal and his wife and children. Balakrishnan is unmarried.

Balakrishnan never went to school but has learnt to read and write through literacy programme for the grownups. He has his own mini library in his room which he uses during spare time. He has sent a request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking special package for handicapped poor, agricultural labourers and is waiting to get a response.

This farmer has achieved progress through innovative farming. He has won the Best Farmer Award of Karnataka Integrated development society, award from Kundapur taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishad, and best taluk level farmer awards in 2012 and 2014. Several organizations have identified his achievements and honoured him.

Manjunath, district president of the Union of Differently Abled Persons and parents, says that Balakrishnan has 80 percent handicap but has been leading a life of self-reliance. "He makes us proud. Such performers should be identified at the state level," he feels.