In the past few months, many people came forward to help those who were financially distressed due to the pandemic. While many were able to see better days due to this, one man in Mumbai refused the help he was given, and the reason is very touching.
A humble roadside bookseller named Rakesh, who sits in Andheri, sells second-hand books for Rs 10 only. However, he has no complaints, because he is surrounded by that one thing which he loves most – books! He has only one condition, that the customers should return the book once they have read them.
However, there is more than one reason to admire him. According to reports, Rakesh doesn’t have a left hand. But that doesn’t make him sad either because he lives amidst books in different languages on varied subjects.
“People earn money so they can do what they love. The thing that I love surrounds me all the time. This is my only happiness,” he says.
During the lockdown, there were people who offered him help. Many wanted to donate money via crowdfunding. However, Rakhesh declined their help.
“I have food, I have my books. Thankfully, I have a roof over my head. This is enough for me. Instead of me, help those who are roaming in the streets without food and shelter. They need it more than I do,” he says.
Recently, IAS Officer Awanish Sharan shared Rakesh’s story on Twitter:
राकेश मुम्बई के अंधेरी में सेकंड हैंड पुस्तकों की एक छोटी सी दुकान चलाते हैं, जहां से आप 10/- रुपए में कोई भी पुस्तक किराये पर ले सकते हैं.
राकेश ने कहा कि लोग पैसे इसलिए कमाते हैं ताकि वो अपने शौक पूरे कर सकें. मुझे पढ़ने का शौक़ है और वो बिना पैसे खर्च किये ही पूरा हो रहा है. pic.twitter.com/VH3v0IydVZ— Awanish Sharan (@AwanishSharan) November 29, 2020
People online lauded the man’s thought. Many also offered to support him financially.
What a thought 💗 👏 👍 https://t.co/ectF9SQMqC
— Ankit Nahata 🇮🇳 (@theAnkitNahata) November 30, 2020
This man is blessed with sound mind….
— Neeraj Gulati (@NeerajGulati2) November 29, 2020
Salute to this warrior 🙏🙏🙏.. is an example for so-called people who think of making money by implicating people
— Fighter_MyNation (@MyNation16) November 29, 2020
@baxirahul @RoadsOfMumbai @akshaykumar @SonuSood I am not an Mumbaian, but hope people like you can enjoy some reads and help him live better.
— Tatya (@BhartiyaTatya) November 29, 2020
Books are the Best friends like no demands no complains. Even whatever knowledge they contain they give it to us. Only giving without any expectation in return. Only Books can do.
— shashikant shukla (@shashikantshuk1) November 29, 2020
In our everyday lives, we tend to run after such superficial things thinking that it will make us happy. But true happiness lies in the smallest things – a cup of coffee with friends, a meal with your family, a walk with your loved one, and reading a good book!