Kundapur: Newspaper lady works without leave for 13 years!

Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, May 21: We keep hearing about achievements of people who do something great. At the same time, there are many, who remain behind the scenes and record achievements in their own way, without getting any recognition.

Shakuntala from Ombattu Dandige in the town is one such unassuming achiever. Every individual who has stayed in the town for at least a few days comes to know of her.

Shakuntala has been working in a well-established newspaper agency located in the old bus stand area. During the 13 years she has been working here, Shakuntala has not taken even a day off. In spite of studying up to only the eighth standard, Shakuntala has achieved expertise in neatly arranging the newspapers and other publications in the shop, and also in identifying the needs of the customers and catering to their needs.

Shakuntala, at the time of arranging these newspapers, also reads them. So, she has in-depth knowledge in almost all the subjects. She has not only adopted the job as a way of living, but also utilized the opportunity to grow tremendously in terms of knowledge.

Shakuntala’s work starts at 3.30 am. She walks 30 minutes to her shop, and opens it exactly at 4 am. She then arranges about 800 newspapers that are received at the shop by 4.30 am, and packs them for being sent to Hosanagar, Siddapur, Hosangady, Gangolli, and other rural areas around the town by bus. She also provides service with a smile to customers who approach the shop.

Shakuntala has been working tirelessly to brighten up the lives of her three younger sisters and live comfortably with their mother.

Shakuntala, who visits Lord Eshwara temple every Monday without fail, attends the annual Kalavar Shashti. Other than that, she finds God in her work, and perhaps on account of blissful life she leads there, she has never found the compulsion to take leave even for a single day in the last 13 years!