Setting standards: ‘Lifeless’ below waist, wheelchair bound Pulwama man runs his joinery unit
Pulwama: 34 year old Arshid Ahmad Wani is not just like other youth of his age. Wani is paralyzed down the waste but he has not let his handicap to come in his way as Arshid is not only working for himself but has managed to provide gainful employment to four others.
Arshid Ahmad Wani, son of late Ali Mohammed is a resident of Malpora Litter village of Pulwama district. A carpenter by profession Arshid was managing his living by working as a carpenter but during a mishap in 2016 he fell from a rooftop while working and has been paralysed since then.
“I had to undergo several surgeries costing me around 16 lakh rupees. Still doctors were not able to make me walk again. I am paralysed down the waist and all I could do was to get on a wheel chair and move around,” he said.
“For almost two years I managed to move around but I felt depressed as I could not contribute anything for my family and even was dependent for all my needs on my family,” he added.
“It was some of my friends who advised me to come out of the shock I suffered and take life as a challenge. Finally, I decided to start work again but as no one was willing to hire my services. I preferred to open a joinery unit on my own,” said a proud Arshid.
“For some time some locals and few relatives helped me but their help could not get me the desired results. Finally, I realized that I should apply for a loan and thanks to then Deputy Commissioner Pulwama who appreciated my idea and got a loan sanctioned against my unit through District Industries Center. Till now around 30% of loan has been released and I have purchased all the machines that I need for starting my work,” he said.
Arshid, who has hired four people to manage the orders he has already secured complains that lack of response from various other quarters is hampering his work tremendously.
“I am forced to use a diesel generator for running the machines. Even though I have applied for an electricity connection for my unit, the PDD officials are not providing me the same,” he complains.
“I can cut down on costs and complete my orders on time provided I get an electricity connection and some capital so that I could purchase the raw material to complete the orders and deliver it on time,” he rues.
“I have been supported by some of my friends and my brother who too has to feed his family of four people. I need support to make my venture run on profit so that I too can contribute towards my family and my employees welfare,” he adds.
Jahangeer Ganaie
