From ragpickers to waste managers
For 28-year-old Durai in Chennai, it was a daily struggle to feed his family. Besides rummaging through the huge mounds of waste in the corporation dump yard to pick up recyclable stuff and earn a living, he had to experience discrimination too.
But things have become better now, thanks to Abdul Gani, a social activist, who trained Durai in waste management and helped him secure a dignified job at a school in Ambattur.
Today, Durai earns around Rs 5,000 and is respected for what he does. “There were days when I earned just Rs 30 or even nothing. Moreover, what hurt me the most was social discrimination,” recalls Durai, a resident of Ayapakkam.
“I owe my thanks to Abdul sir, who educated me about waste management and gave me a new lease of life,” he said.
Durai is among the many rag-pickers rehabilitated by Mr Abdul Gani. It all started a few years back when he was working for a leading bank in the city. The office was grappling with problem of waste disposal. Mr Gani met a civic activist who suggested they recycle the waste.
Mr Gani quit his job and visited dumpyards in the city to learn about different kinds of waste. It was there that he ran into a few rag-pickers. Moved by their accounts, he felt a strong urge to enhance their lives.
“I have sent several petitions to the CM’s cell for a scheme that would mandate waste management in various institutions and help rehabilitate rag-pickers across the state,” said Mr Gani.
Mr Gani can be contacted at 9941006786.
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