Sunday, November 24, 2013

'Life On The Wheels Of A Long Haul' For A Public Servant

By Shaista Qureshi | Hyderabad

Javeed Khan, a home guard, who does many jobs to support his family, now owns an auto-rickshaw, thanks to an NGO. He conquers who endures. His never-say-die spirit has finally paid off. Javeed Khan is now the master of his own auto-rickshaw. The Home Guard, who dons many a role to keep the wolf away, has something to cheer about. He is now the proud owner of an auto, thanks to Helping Hand Foundation.
The NGO has come to his rescue after knowing his plight highlighted in these columns. The foundation has offered an auto to Javeed much to his relief. Now, he need not drive a rented auto but one owned by himself.

On Friday, the foundation representative, Imran Mohammed, handed over the vehicle after making the initial payment of Rs. 25,000 to a finance company. Javeed has to pay an equal amount in easy monthly instalments.

“It is such a big relief for me. Till now, I used to pay Rs. 150 per day towards rental charges. Now, I can save that money and repay the loan,” said Javeed, who is attached to the Saifabad Traffic Police Station.

He works as a Home Guard from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. near Iqbal Minar and thereafter plies auto to make both ends meet. The Rs. 200 he earns a day by regulating traffic is hardly sufficient to meet the expenses of his family.

“By driving auto till late night, I manage to make between Rs. 500 to Rs. 700,” says Javeed.

All this hard work he is putting in just to give a decent education to his children. His eldest daughter, Shaheen Fatima, is studying at Narayana Junior College at Charminar. Though he could not afford the annual fee of Rs. 18,000, he is determined to educate his daughter. “So far, I have cleared Rs. 8,000, and the rest I will pay gradually,” he says confidently.

Javeed’s other children are studying in a school at Kalapather. “Though I could not study well, I want my children to get good education,” he says and thanks Helping Hand Foundation for the timely help.

Perseverance is not a long race, but many short races one after another. This cop is determined to win them on his own terms.

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