Balasore: Proving that physical disability cannot decide how far one can go in life, Prashant Rout of Kulagadi village under Shyamsundarpur gram panchayat in the district, who suffers congenital limb anomalies in one hand and both the legs, does his everyday chores, climbs trees, and runs a pro bono dance school for children in the locality. In doing all this, he has become an inspiration for millions with disabilities.
When Kalinga TV caught up with him at his village recently, the differently-abled was seen enthusiastically teaching dance moves to the village children in an open-air school he runs just outside the crudely constructed Indira Awas house where he lives with his parents.
Talking to Kalinga TV in a feeble yet confident voice, Prashant said he wishes to do a job like others, besides running a school where children can learn dance free of cost. All he needs to give shape to his dream project is a piece of land from the government. The sooner the government provides it, the better it would be, he added.
“Neither my family nor I have got any government assistance so far. The only help I am getting is the handicapped allowance of Rs 500 per month. I appeal to the government through Kalinga TV to provide me with a government job to let me realize my dreams,” said Prashant.
Prashant’s father Sridhar Rout was shocked and worried about the physical state of his child at birth. But it was his mother Suryakanti Rout who came forward and supported his son to grow into an able child. Now she is reaping the results. Both the father and the mother are now happy with the way their child is handling his life. Moreover, they feel proud as Prashant’s endeavor has earned respect in the village.
“I am happy the way Prashant is handling his life. Apart from doing his everyday chores with ease like a normal person and teaching the kids dance, my child is also good at studies. It would be better if government provides him with a job,” said Prashant’s mother Suryakanti Rout.
Prashant has taken admission in +3 classes recently.
When contacted over the issue of government assistance to Prashant whose father is finding it difficult to meet ends and lives in a half-erected Indira Awas Yojna, Shyamsundarpur Sarpanch Usharani Raul insisted that she would take necessary steps to provide the boy an Antyoday Anna Yojna (AAY) card and a Rickshaw under government provision.
Ms Kalinga