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| Kunhi Gopalan, Thimiri Service Cooperative Bank, Pallippara, Kasargod |
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One man’s sincere drive to let the tyres of KSRTC bus run along the less frequented route from Kasargod to Pallippara is bearing fruit even after 2 years of turbulent ride.
Kunhi Gopalan, a peon in the Thimiri Service Cooperative Bank, by his ever-so-little effort, is ensuring that the bus is not stopped for want of commuters or illness of the driver.
Every day he reaches the junction in time for the bus trip to Kasargod. If the number of travelers is less, he throws a broad hint to those in the vicinity: how many would like to go to Kasargod? And the locals know that he is offering them a free trip. After everyone gets in, Gopalan pays for his or her trip. Similarly, during the return trip at 8.30 pm, he and a few young men are regular commuters from Cheruvattur to Pallippara.
Once during the night journey he came to know that the driver was indisposed. At Pallippara he took the driver to a hospital in an autorickshaw. In addition to the medicines purchased, he gifted a woolen shawl to the driver so that the bus trip will not be affected because of driver’s fever on the next day.
Never ask him how he gets money for these efforts. Money comes and goes, that is the philosophical attitude of bachelor Kunji Gopalan. His mother is only proud of his service activities for she knows he is a catalyst of change in the village.
Be it leakage in a pipeline, or dilapidated condition of a road, Kunhi Gopalan is in the forefront to get necessary action from the concerned. Recently, the drinking water problem was solved under the Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission due to his interventions. He reaches the spot in the role of a mediator whenever there is conflict in the village.
Thus continues the saga of Kunhi Gopalan’s service.
Courtesy: Sony M.Bhattathirippad (text), R.S.Gopan (photo), Sree, Malayala Manorama, June 29, 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
