By Saumya Agarwal
A differently-abled man from Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir has defied all the odds to start his own business. Arshid Ahmad Wani, 34, who has struggled to make ends meet, is now providing employment to others.
Arshid, a resident of Malpora, was a carpenter by profession. In 2016, while he was working on the rooftop of a cowshed, he lost his balance and fell on the boulders. The accident changed his life forever as he suffered grievous injuries to his legs. Both his legs were paralysed after treatment and he got confined to a wheelchair.
For two years, Arshid felt lost and depressed as he could not move around freely. He finally decided to not give up on life and came up with the idea of opening a woodwork unit. He took a loan to start his business.
“For some time, locals and a few relatives helped me for some time. Later, I realised that I should apply for a loan, and thanks to the then Deputy Commissioner Pulwama who appreciated my idea and helped me in getting the loan through District Industries Centre (DIC),” Arshid told ANI.
“So far I have almost bought all the machines that I need for wood working,” he said. He has employed six workers at his unit and is receiving many orders to make doors and windows.
“I request handicapped people not to beg but move on and try to explore ways and means of starting their own ventures,” he said.
Mushtaq Ahmad, District Social Welfare Officer, Pulwama said that the district administration is supporting him by providing him a monthly pension. “He came here and we provided him with a wheelchair. We are also giving him a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 per month. We also assisted him to get a loan from DIC. He has established a unit. This is a message for physically handicapped people. If they need help, we will provide them,” he said.
Yawar Magray, a worker at Arshid’s unit, said praised his employer’s will power and thanked the DIC for supporting him financially. “They set up a unit with the help of DIC. We make doors and windows. Many others are also working here. We are getting employment because of him. I am thankful to DIC for helping him,” he said. ( TN )
Get real time update about this post directly on your device, subscribe now.
