The Gaja cyclone that struck in November 2018 had brought added miseries in the lives of many. Poor and marginalised bore the brunt.

Caritas India with the support of United Way Bengaluru/Chennai played the catalyst role through the livelihood recovery programme. Thanks to the generous contribution of Mphasis. 494 beneficiaries from 13 villages in Nagapattinam could enjoy a renewed life. Caritas India response was led by its manager, Dr. John Arokiaraj along with Mr.Vijay Senthilkumar of United Way Chennai. The accompaniment support of field officer Chellapandi helped in capacitating the local communities on  Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) tool.

The livelihood assessment tool was used in the villages to identify beneficiaries and 5 differently-abled persons were identified under-bunk shop livelihood scheme. The bunk shop is a box-like prefabricated steel structure incorporating individual needs which can be installed in a pre-approved place once it is finalised. With this support, the disabled beneficiaries can run the shop to earn a decent and dignified living. It is manufactured by an expert organisation based at Chennai called Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Federation Charitable Trust (TNDFC).

The 2 days training facilitated by TNDFC on 12^th and 13^th of December, 2019 under the auspices of Caritas India enabled the 5 differently-abled beneficiaries and their spouses to understand the nuances of entrepreneurship through discussion on micro-business, qualities of a micro businessman, identifying the right segment of micro business, doing groundwork and basic analysis,  right area and place,  marketing techniques, recent trends in sales techniques, customer relationship building, attitude building for Aiming high and success formula.

One of the beneficiaries Rajalingam aged 34 lives in Mela Easanoor North of Keezhayur block in Nagapattinam District. He is the father of two children.

Since the age of two, he has been affected by Acute Poliomyelitis, a disease caused by poliovirus with 80% deformity in both lower limbs. He belongs to a socially disadvantaged Dalit community and in the economic front comes under below poverty line category. He has got 10 years’ experience as a two-wheeler mechanic working in various mechanic shops as an assistant. When he had proposed for starting the two-wheeler mechanic shop in Keezhayur block, the idea was well received by the community as there was no such one in the near vicinity.

Rajalingam had reasons to venture into his passionate business. Two-wheelers are the most affordable mode of transport for many. When there is a breakdown or a flat tyre, the two-wheeler owner is in a fix. The entire day’s work comes to a standstill. Two-wheeler as any other machine requires periodical overhauling. Running a two-wheeler mechanic shop is an independent business and no owner of a two-wheeler will be keen in knowing what caste does the mechanic belong to. All that a person requires is to get the vehicle in a smooth running condition. The mechanic job requires well-developed skill, with a clear choice of procedures in a familiar context. At the technical front, a range of cognitive and practical skills required to accomplish tasks and solve the problem by applying basic information, methods, tools and materials. If the job is done well, it will become a lucrative business with  increasing number of two-wheeler users.

Unfortunately, when he commenced the business, obstacle came in the form of caste. The person who lent the land had made Rajalingam vacate the place and in the same area, the caste man has started a similar business. Undeterred by this betrayal, he had shifted his shop to  Nagapattinam – Thirukuvalai main road  5 KM away from the current location. “In a day, on an average, 80 customers visit my mechanic shop either for filling air or repair of the vehicle and I am able to earn Rs.500/-  Rs.700/-. I am confident that my business will flourish in the coming days” says this confident mechanic. Along with the bunk shop, Caritas India supported  Rajalingam with capital investment to buy compressor, tools and water wash machine.