Bhubaneswar: A retired and visually challenged teacher residing in Dhenkanal town has turned saviour for several blind girl students by donating a small portion of his pension money for their welfare.
“I, along with some noble people, donate money every month (excluding summer holidays) towards the hostel expenditure of the students,” said 68-year-old Prafulla Kumar Rout. Sometimes visually challenged students seek monetary help for purchasing medicine or study materials. “We arrange things for them. We try to help needy students most of the time,” he added.
Rout, who is fondly called Prafulla Sir, said he gets Rs 27,000 as monthly pension. “I ensure that at least Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 goes for the noble work every month. I have seen that some people give half of their salary for the cause. We try to help 100 visually challenged girl students every month,” he added.
Rout retired as the headmaster of Bhima Bhoi School for the Blind in the city, eight years ago. After retirement, Rout, returned to his native place Tigiria in Cuttack district. After a few months, he went to live in a rented accommodation at Deula Sahi in Dhenkanal with his nephew. His nephew helps him with daily work at home.
He used to visit different houses for collecting donations during his youth, but now he gets aid through online transactions. He does yoga and sings songs during his free time.
“Whenever I get a distress call from persons with disabilities for monetary or study-related help, I always offer it without any hesitation. Many senior bureaucrats, littérateurs and intellectuals, including former chief secretary and poet Ramakanta Rath, have extended help to the girls,” said Rout.
“I started doing this work after I got the teaching job. I will contribute my part to the cause till my last breath,” he added.