Karkala: Limited by birth, Kutty scales great heights, literally

R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala
 
Karkala, Jul 19: It is said that a man's true test of character is when he is in crisis. Difficulties can either break a man or make him. And where there is will power and unflinching determination, nothing can stop a person from leading a life of his choice.

Kutty, a resident of Kanajar here, is an extraordinary man. Despite being differently-abled since birth, he has overcome his limitations and successfully learnt multiple skills and made an efficacious living for himself.

Kutty, who was unable to perform most of the tasks due to his disability since birth, has now gone on to become one of the well known figures in Karkala. Born at Ayyappanagar in Karkala, Kutty was brought up in Chikmagalur. He presently lives at Kanajar with his two wives.
 
After several years of formal education, Kutty decided to quit studies at class 9, to be able to earn a living for himself. Thus he joined as a labourer for a brick making industry in his early teens. He admits that his exposure to alcohol during this stage resulted in him turning into an alcoholic.
 
In the later years, he moved to his native place in search of a job. His shortcomings were never an impediment. He went on to becoming a sculptor, making Ganapati statues. He continued to make a living out of this profession for quite a while until he realized that he needed to do something more to be able to support himself and his family financially.
 
That is when he acquired a few more skills like scaling up trees and also tying jasmine. His limitations not withstanding, Kutty started to climb up coconut and arecanut trees. He presently gets paid Rs 25 for each coconut plucked and Rs 3 for each arecanut cluster. This enables him to make a sound living during the summer.

During monsoons, when his work is not in high demand, he joins some agriculturists and ties jasmine. For each of these bundles, he is paid Rs 8. He also receives handicap pension from the government.
 
Kutty also enjoys a good family life, living happily with his two wives and four children. Truly, he is an inspiration to the residents of Karkala and people in general.