Inspiration overcomes Disability

 

 

 

ONE hand is enough to manage a family. Pani Puri seller Murali Dewan has become an inspiration to many as he can be seen every day selling golgappas at his shop near Vivekananda Udyan (Company Garden) using only one hand, as the other is paralysed. Despite his disability, Murali is self-reliant. In spite of his condition, he refuses to seek sympathy from others. Today, he not only supports his family but also serves as an inspiration to the community. Murali Dewan became paralysed after a road accident. Selling Pani Puri near Company Garden, he shares that when he was in class 12, his right hand became completely numb due to the accident. To fulfill his passion for music, he graduated in music from Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. He then worked in a hotel to make a living. A major turning point in Murali’s life came when he saw a video of a BTech graduate selling Pani Puri. Inspired by this video, he decided to quit his job as a waiter and set up his own Pani Puri stall.

 

Due to the paralysis in his right hand, he prepares Pani Puri with his left hand and serves it to customers. In addition to serving delicious food, he maintains cleanliness, which ensures a steady stream of customers at his makeshift cart. Today, he earns about Rs 5,00 to 1,000 daily and manages his family’s expenses quite well. Murali walks three kilometers from Indu Chowk to Company Garden every day. With the help of his wife, he prepares all the ingredients for Pani Puri at home, puts them in a bag, and pulls the cart to his destination. After setting up the cart, he first cleans the area before starting to prepare and serve Pani Puri to his customers. He says that people come to eat Pani Puri not out of pity for him but because of the quality of his food.