By Anil Sharma, IANS
Jaipur : A positive outlook can help overcome the toughest odds in life. Seeshpal Singh, 70, who has been confined to bed after an accident 25 years ago, has not let his misfortune cripple his spirit.
Singh, a resident of Soeen village in Bikaner district, over 300 km from here, is today a valuable and much-sought-after person.
Once a tall and lanky man, Singh was forced to lie on the bed after he fractured his spine in an accident. He is unable to walk and has been lying on bed since 1983.
However, he is always cheerful and most people are taken aback by his high spirits.
“I fell from a height due to an electric shock while trying to mend an electrical fuse around 25 years ago. My spine got fractured,” Singh told IANS.
“I tried every kind of medication, but nothing helped and I was forced to lie on the bed. But I have not let this come in the way of doing something for society,” Singh said.
Singh has a loudspeaker near to his bed from where he reads out the newspaper every day and informs his village people about the daily developments.
He even makes announcements of marriages, house warming or other matters concerning his village.
Villagers always remember him whenever there is any auspicious ceremony. Singh has two sons, and both are engaged in farming.
There is always a group of people gathered around him, discussing religion, politics and folk literature.
“I spend hours with him talking. He talks on varied subjects. He really has got courage,” said Ramswaroop, a local resident.
“He has shown us how a person can lead life even if he is incapacitated. We really admire him for his spirit,” said Prabhu Singh, another villager.