By V. Shourabh

Only when a man is suffering, he will start to think out-of-the-box to come out of it, goes an old adage. Here is a physically challenged person who has mastered the art of closing tyre punctures. So perfect he is in this strenuous job that he would put to shame any normal person doing the same job. With simple techniques, he has perfected his job that he does with ease. What stands out in him is his will power and grit.

Meet 40-year-old Ghouse Modhin, who is physically challenged. He repairs punctured tyres at Sagar Auto Parts on Madhava Char Road near Nanjumalige Circle in Mysuru. He repairs punctures efficiently and with ease while standing on his only leg.

His disability has not let him down as he has taken it positively and considers himself blessed that he has the strength to repair punctures and eke out a living. He is a source of inspiration to many people out there who constantly crib, blame and find faults in their stars or fate. He shows them how to lead life to the fullest with what God has given to them. It is rightly said that if you ignore the sense of injury or disability, the injury itself disappears. And Ghouse is a living example for this.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Ghouse Modhin, said, “I learnt how to close tyre punctures since I was about five years old. I have an experience of almost 35 years. I was working at a repair shop at Siddappa Square earlier. Since the past two years, I have been working here at Sagar Auto Parts.

“Despite being physically challenged, I never considered myself unlucky or inferior. I was determined to make the most of my life. I always work hard with determination and I want to stand on my foot and live life to the fullest. I could have turned to begging for survival. But no. One should not beg for his living. He should work hard and earn his livelihood. Only such a life will give you an inner satisfaction and respect in the society.”

Ghouse has been repairing tyre punctures of scooters, autos and cars single-handedly. Limping on his single foot, he happily repairs the blunt tyres of his customers. He adds, “I do not find any difficulty. I can easily remove tyres of scooters and cars all by myself and restore the damaged tyres. I do not repair the punctures of the tyres of buses and lorries.”

With no education to his name, he struggles to communicate with his customers. He said that he uses thumb impression at banks as his identity to withdraw and deposit money. He manages his family with the earnings he gets from the repair shop and the monthly aid he receives from the Government.

Ghouse and his wife have a 3-year-old son and he hopes to give his son proper education which he was robbed off during his childhood. Polio-afflicted Ghouse added that it would be of great use to his family if the Government provides additional medical benefits.

Repairing punctured tyres is no child’s play. It requires physical strength, hard work and technique. However, Ghouse is a man who is driven by his mental strength and abilities as he gracefully repairs the tyres with a smile creeping on his face. He is determined to continue this profession for the rest of his life. He stands as a role model to many and is a source of inspiration to those who easily give up on their lives.