With paralysis, meagre income, he helps others

BAHRAICH: The inner strength that 45-year-old Adwait Bhushan Shrivastava aka Aklu always displays while helping others in need even on the face of personal adversity has made him a source of inspiration for others in Brahaminipura of Bahraich.

At 5 ft tall and with partial paralysis, Aklu never shies from helping others. He is famous in the area for his social services. Irrespective of caste and religion, Aklu remains accessible to all in need. Locals say that whenever anybody is injured in road accident or needs medical help Aklu is always ready to serve.

Staying in a small house with his old mother, wife and a minor child, Aklu earns his living by supplying stationery material to shopkeepers. However, on April 1, 2020 he suffered paralysis and his right hand became inactive. The Covid-induced lockdown further hampered his livelihood. But he never gave up serving others.

So when Aklu came to know about a patient whose both kidneys had failed and was in need of blood at Bahraich Medical College, on Saturday, he rushed there without a second thought and donated a unit of blood.

Aklu said someone told him that one Manoj Gupta was in need of blood for his wife Alpana Gupta 35 who was suffering with kidney failure. “I didn’t know Manoj but I contacted him and reached the Medical College and donated blood,” he said.

This was 13th time Aklu donated blood. While locals are effusive in praise of Aklu, Manoj and his wife also extended a heartfelt thanks to the man who knows only selfless service.