Story of grit and self-determination: Semi-paralysed Kerala man dug for 3 years to pursue his livelihood

In a rare story of self-determination and grit, a 59-year-old partially paralysed coconut climber, Shashi G from outskirt of Thiruvananthapuram has been digging roads for past three years to make his house assessable to three wheeler so that he can pursue his livelihood.

Shashi has been recuperating from his ill-health after he fell from a coconut tree, 18 years back.  With years passing by, his right arm and leg was paralysed, making it difficult for him to walk, according to a report in a news channel.  

To earn his livelihood, he made several unanswered requests to village panchayat for a three-wheeler so that he could do the business by his own. But due to lack of proper roads on the rural outskirt authorities paid deaf ear to his request.

When Shashi requested for road, his request was rejected with mocking laughter.

In despair, Shashi picked his pick-axe and started digging for six hours daily for last three years. Now his hard work has finally reaped fruits and he has managed to build 200-metre ‘kaccha road’ which is wide enough for small vehicle to ply on.