Ballia: A video of a father, Kamlesh Verma, driving an e-rickshaw for livelihood with his 1-year-old daughter tied to his stomach, is going viral on social media these days.
Kamlesh, a resident of Chiranji Chapra village under Dokti police station, is currently playing the role of a mother as well. His wife Saraswati had passed away a few months ago.
Kamlesh tried to raise the daughter with the help of his elderly mother who was at home, but after a few days his mother lost her eyesight.
Though some of his relatives suggested that the girl be given to someone else, but Kamlesh ultimately decided to raise his daughter himself.
Kamlesh started driving an e-rickshaw with his 1-year-old daughter strapped to his stomach. He wakes up his daughter in the morning and after breakfast takes her with him in the e-rickshaw.
He travels about 50 kilometers with the girl tied to his stomach. Kamlesh says that he will raise the girl in the best possible way and give her higher education.
According to Dynamite News correspondent, after the video went viral on social media, the district administration has assured Kamlesh of all possible help under various government schemes. Many social organisations have also come forward to help him.
Kamlesh told Dynamite News that his mother had an eye operation last March and his wife died six months ago after falling from a train. As there is no one else in the family to take care of my daughter, I have to take her with me.
Kamlesh said that he leaves every day at six in the morning with an e-rickshaw and keeps milk with him for the daughter. "I am both mother as well as father to my baby girl. If the child starts crying sometimes, I can now easily pacify her. Of course initially there was a problem."
District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said that this matter has come to his notice through the media. He said he would ensure that Kamlesh gets pension, ration card and other benefits under government schemes."
Area MLA Jai Prakash Anchal said that the picture and video of Kamlesh driving an e-rickshaw with the girl child is heart rendering. He said that he would provide financial assistance to Kamlesh.
MP Virendra Singh Mast's private secretary Aman Singh said that he would try to get Kamlesh a house. Aman Singh said, “Kamlesh drives an e-rickshaw on rent. I will try to get a loan from Bank so that he himself can buy an e-rickshaw."
Manish Singh, associated with a social organization, told that he would collect donations from people to help Kamlesh.
