Saving little by little, this 64-year-old rickshaw puller constructs his dream semi-pucca home
Source: The Sangai Express
CCpur, October 09 2018:
The manual labour of pulling rickshaw is generally identified with poverty but a 64 year old man engaged in the noble profession has shown that determination and wise savings could change the popular perception.
Damkhenpau of Dorcas Veng New Lamka Churachandpur have worked hard to earn a little more than his counterparts since 1999 and started saving his meagre income since.
Today with a little more than Rs 3 lakh in his saving account, he and his gleaming better half are on the verge of completing their dream of owning a semi pucca house.
Speaking about their dream house, Damkhenpau said he has so far spent about Rs 4 lakh in construction without seeking any assistance or help from anyone.
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"Of course, the local MDC gave me 5 bundles of the 12 bundles tin roof i have used for the roofing, some years back.
The rests are my sweat and hard work and the support of my wife," said proud Damkhenpau posing in front of his dream under construction house for a photograph.
Speaking about his profession, he said as many as 200 people have entrusted him for booking and delivery of their cooking gases.
This, he said, is the main source of his steady income during the peak of gas scarcity as people often loathe to stand in queue for most of the days to get a refilled cylinder or book their next delivery.
Today as cooking gas is more streamline and liberalised, the gas books in his custody has reduced to halves as some owners have now opted to pick their own stocks.
His initial plan was to retire at the age of 60 but situation and unavailability of alternative means of livelihood has forced him to further toil under the sun till he reaches 70 .
It is not just the pucca house that he has attained.
One out of his four children has already earned his BSc degree and another pursuing BA .