Kandhamal: A tribal youth from Silumaha village in Daringbadi of Kandhamal district has developed a motorised trolley rickshaw using the engine of an old scooter.
Narapa Pradhan's creation has opened up a livelihood avenue for him as he is using the motorised trolley to earn a living by engaging it in different types of work like transporting people and goods.
“It took me two years to finally upgrade the trolley rickshaw by using an engine provided by my uncle. Usually I earn Rs 200 for one trip and it goes up to Rs 900 for 2 to 3 trips. I have also used my trolley to carry people to hospital,” said Narapa, who happens to be a school dropout.
Narapa said that any kind of help from the government will be helpful for him.
“I had a broken scooter which I was no longer using. Narapa asked me if he could take it and I agreed. I am really happy that he has been able to come up with something so impressive,” Narapa’s uncle, Philman Pradhan said.
Narapa, who has not even completed his primary education, has become an inspiration for other tribal youths of the village. He has not only been praised by the district administration but also got assurance that he will be enrolled into skill development courses.
“I came to know about Narapa’s work through OTV. We would like to support him under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY scheme) after reviewing his skills and accordingly he can be given a job too,” said Trilochan Pradhan, BDO, Daringbadi.
“We will also try to provide him a house under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY) scheme,” added Pradhan.
Sulmaha villagers are also all praises for Narapa for providing them a better mode of transport.
“The vehicle has been a great help not only for Narapa but also for the entire village. It can be used for transporting goods as well as passengers. People are using the rickshaw to travel from our village to Daringbadi. He sure has talent," said Napoleon Pradhan, a local resident.
“I have watched him transporting goods on his trolley and now I see him doing the same with the motorised one. The difference is huge. The State government should come forward and support him,” said another villager, Naresh Pradhan.