“I travelled to Kerala from Uttar Pradesh in search of better employment opportunities. I am a painter by profession. I was hired by a malik (contractor) in Calicut who employed me and asked me to join a group that was painting an institution. I stayed with my friends from Uttar Pradesh in a one-room house in Calicut. Every month I used to send some money back home to take care of my family. My family members were happy.

On the 2nd of July 2022, while I was painting, I fell from a ladder and injured my back. I was rushed to Kondotty hospital in Calicut. As I was bedridden, I needed assistance. I thought that was the end of my dream of improving the economic condition of my family. My companions from Uttar Pradesh, who were also migrants and engaged in painting work, were good to me and used to visit me. But they also had to go to work for their survival. My companions approached Jeevika, Calicut which works among the migrants. Sr. Gracy visited me in the hospital and consoled me. She also agreed to look for opportunities to help me. After talking to some persons, she paid my pending medical bills at Kondotty hospital and helped me to buy a ticket to go back to my native village in Uttar Pradesh. My friends put me on the train.

In my native village, I underwent Ayurveda treatment. After 3-month long oil massage, my back pain got subsided, and I became normal. At present, I earn my livelihood by driving a tractor for agricultural work. I am deeply grateful to the staff of Jeevika, Calicut and Indian Social Institute, Bangalore”, expressed Mr. Mohammad Gulshad, from Uttar Pradesh.

 

Mr. Sivaprasad

Jeevika, Kalady