Pramesh S Jain
* Life is precious,and someone is waiting for you at home. Wear a helmet and ride safely.”
* This is the heartfelt appeal of 28-year-old Purushottam Garadia,a physically challenged Zomato delivery executive from Odisha,who is winning hearts in Bengaluru with his determination to overcome challenges and his inspiring message on road safety.
A 28-year-old Purushottam Garadia,a physically challenged graduate from Odisha’s Rayagada district,said Bengaluru is more than just a city of opportunities.
It is a place where the strangers have become his support system,restoring his confidence and strengthening his belief that physical disability cannot limit a person who is mentally strong.
Having come to Bengaluru to support his family back home, Purushottam initially worked as a telecaller before taking up a job as a food delivery executive with Zomato.
Today,he navigates the city on an electric tricycle donated by an NGO,delivering food packages and earning a living through sheer determination.
His day begins at 8 a.m. and continues until 8 p.m., with barely any breaks in between.
“Bengaluru is unique in the world,and the people here are extremely helpful.
I have been working for the past six months,and I have not faced any major problems.People have always supported me.I love this city because nobody has ever made me feel that I am disabled,”he said.
Purushottam lives with his friends in a rented accommodation in the Rajajinagar industrial area and commutes on his electric tricycle as he goes about his daily delivery assignments.
What has touched him most is the kindness of Bengalureans.
Customers often come downstairs to collect their parcels after learning about his physical condition,while many have gone out of their way to help him whenever he has fallen off his vehicle.
“People have helped me several times when I fell down. They took care of me as if I were one of their own.Their affection and concern have given me tremendous confidence,”he said.
Despite the demands of his job,Purushottam has bigger ambitions.He dreams of securing a government job and is working hard to prepare for competitive examinations, hoping to build a more secure future for himself and his family.
But he also has a message for Bengalureans,particularly motorists and two-wheeler riders.Drawing from his own life experiences, he urges people not to take their safety for granted.
“Life is precious. It is a gift from God,and we should not waste it because of negligence or silly mistakes.Every motorist must remember that someone is waiting for them at home.Wear a helmet, follow traffic rules and ride safely for the sake of your loved ones,”he said.
For a man who has experienced the challenges of navigating a busy city with a physical disability,road safety is not merely a slogan but a reminder of how precious life is.
Like many others who come to Bengaluru in search of a better future,Purushottam,too,hopes to make the city his permanent home.
“This is the best city in the world.The people are friendly and helpful.They have made me feel accepted and supported.I want to continue living here,”he said.
For Purushottam,Bengaluru’s greatest strength lies not just in its opportunities but in the humanity of its people.
Every delivery is a step towards his dream,and every helping hand reminds him that determination, dignity and kindness can make a difference he added.
