 Symbol of hard work
M Selvaraj
 Polio has been the main cause for disability among Indian children. Selvaraj is one more victim of this disease. He was born as the second child in a family at Meenakshipuram, in
Tirunelveli district. He has one older brother and a younger sister and younger brother.
The whole family felt very bad for him when the two-and-a-half-year-old boy lost his senses below his hip due to a severe attack of polio. An active child was totally confined to bed. When all the other children at home were going to school, Selvaraj had to remain in bed. Medical treatment was of no use to him. He wanted to go to school like others. But his village school was not willing to enrol him. In almost all villages the disabled remain unwanted and uncared-for.
Though some parents take good care of the disabled children, most others cannot due to lack of resources. Till he was 10 years of age, Selvaraj did not get admission in any
school. As he was keen on schooling, his parents decided to put him in a private
English medium school though it was beyond their means. He studied up to class-5 in that school.
 His mother used to carry the handicapped boy every day to school and back home. As he started growing up, his mother found it difficult to carry him for a long distance. She could not carry him continuously for more than five minutes. She used to drop him at times and then pick him up. Sometimes Selvaraj would fall from her hip when she lost her balance. It was a great ordeal for her.
He completed his class-10 with great difficulty. Though he wanted to continue his studies, he could not do so as there was no school nearby and it was very difficult for Selvaraj to go to a far-off place for his
education. So he planned to get a job. He was shocked to know that he was not wanted by anyone because of his handicap.
He went to a nearby provision shop and requested for a job. But they refused to take him. By then his father was running a workshop where plumbing, welding and fitting work were undertaken. As his father did not learn the trick of the trade, the workshop was running at a great loss.
Selvaraj decided to take over from his father and improve it. But without telling his father anything, Selvaraj started going to the workshop and studied its condition. Within four months he was able to spot defects in the management. He studied the condition of the labourers and customers.
He was keenly watching everything that was happening in the workshop. He took a list of customers who could not come to them. So, with the assistance of an attendant, he went to the houses of all the customers, noted down their needs and performed the necessary services at their house. That proved to be very fruitful and the customers felt satisfied as everything they wanted was readily available at their doorstep.
He repaired taps, gave new pipe connections and did welding work too. On seeing his hard work and sincerity, others also came to Selvaraj on their own. He also satisfied their needs to the best of his ability. His father was happy to hand over the responsibility to his son who showed great dedication.
The welding work was a challenge to Selvaraj as he had to carry a heavy weight and stand near the
fire for melting and beating the hot metal. As he resolved to improve the workshop, he did not mind the hardship. He managed everything very efficiently. Though he knew his
body was not strong, he believed in the strength of his mind.
Once he stabilised the condition of the workshop, Selvaraj wanted do something for the betterment of the handicapped. He told them to join his workshop so that they could learn welding, plumbing and fitting work. But they were not interested in learning the hard labour. Though Selvaraj has employed 10 men in his workshop, he feels for the absence of the disabled workers.
 He wants them to regain their strength and confidence so that even if they are disabled, they could stand on their own feet. Economic independence is the most important thing for any human being and that is possible only if they learnt a job.
Even now Selvaraj makes all attempts to impress on the handicapped. His Muthaiya
Engineering Works, named after his father, is no more sick. Selvaraj has given new vigour to it. He could have chosen an easy job of making matchsticks, beedi or packing boxes by sitting in a corner of his house.
But Selvaraj chose to do something else. He wants to be true to his job. He has taken up a risky work to show his interest and talent. Selvaraj wants to satisfy his customers. He does not want to compromise on work.
Though he could seek bank loans and improve the workshop, Selvaraj does not want to take a risk. The 30-year-old Selvaraj is a great inspiration to the disabled who never see the outer world with confidence and ambition.
Shanmugam can be contacted
@:
No: 54 Kamaraj Road,
Ramakrishna Nagar,
Alwar Thirunagar,
Chennai- 600 087.
Phone: 248 60 221
E-mail: shanmugam@azagi.com
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(Extracted
from the book 'Hope is Life')
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