In free time, cop helps disabled to get govt benefits

At a time when differently abled people find it difficult to avail themselves of the welfare schemes of the government owing to their physical condition, here is a man who uses his free time helping such people.

Basheer Chokkabettu has helped over 50 such people in getting benefits from the government. Be it bus pass facilities, identity cards, the pension scheme or the Karnataka State Disability Medical Relief Scheme for corrective surgeries for the prevention of disabilities, among other facilities, Basheer has helped the physically challenged belonging to poor families get the benefits.

Speaking to DH, Basheer said, “Many a time, the physically challenged persons fail to come to the mainstream of the society owing to their lack of knowledge of the facilities they are entitled to get. I have been helping the poor since my childhood.”

It all started when his neighbour Tausif, a differently abled boy, visited him seeking help to get an identity card from the respective department to avail himself of the benefits. “When I visited the department concerned, I realised that there were various schemes meant for the physically challenged and decided to help all those who come to me,” he recollects.

Basheer is working as Group D employee (anuyayi) at KSRP in Assaigoli. During lunch break and his free time, he visits the deputy commissioner’s office, the Wenlock Hospital, and the Department for Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, to get the benefits for the differently abled persons who approach him. One needs to visit such places three to four times to get the benefits, which would be difficult for differently abled persons, explains Basheer.

Basheer also visits ashrams during holidays and interacts with the inmates. His wife Ramlath Banu and family members have extended full support to his social service.

Basheer has experienced a lot of hardship in his life. He completed his SSLC and PU education by selling newspapers near Lady Goschen Hospital at 5.30 am. After selling newspapers, he would return home at 8 am and then attend school and college.

After PUC, he opened a cycle shop at Chokkabettu, however, he was not successful in the venture. He also tried his luck in business with his brother.  A newspaper advertisement then caught his attention and he applied for a government job. Basheer joined KSRP on June 15, 2002. He celebrates the day of joining the work with differently abled persons every year by distributing books and fruits to them.

Impressed by his service, Kannada Abhivruddhi Samithi conferred upon him the Rajyotsava Award in 2011.