Rickshaw puller during day, teacher at night

Hembron said “I was inspired to become a literacy guru (teacher) after a visit by members of Zilla Saksharta Vahini several years ago.”

Impressed by Hembrom’s zeal to contribute to the literacy campaign, Jharkhand HRD minister Bandhu Tirkey felicitated the rickswah puller-cum-literacy teacher with a shawl and a cash reward of Rs 10,000 last month.

“I could not continue my schooling due to financial constraints. But now that I am able to teach my villagers, I think I am continuing my studies from where I left,” Hembrom said.

Gyanranjan Sinha, the secretary of the District Sakhsarata Vahini, said Hembrom’s deed deserves credit and others who can teach should follow suit.

“Hembrom can easily give up rickshaw pulling now to involve himself in the literacy campaign full time, but he says that he will not give up his first profession (pulling rickshaw),” Sinha said.

“There are many educated persons, and they can take a cue from Hembrom and join the literacy campaign,” said another vahini member.

Hembrom initially faced difficulties in persuading the villagers to gather around him during evenings to learn how to read and write.

“When I explained to them how education would help them in their development in life they realised my point and started attending my classes,” he said.

“Now the villagers understand my view and they are happy with my initiative,” Hembrom added.