Readers come forward to make Bhaskar's dream come true

There has been an outpouring of emotions and offers of help

Just days after His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said ''giving is defined by the difference we make in someone's life", the nation has wholeheartedly embraced his vision -- as evident in the outpouring of emotions and offers of help that came in response to a veteran newsboy's touching tale of an unrealised dream.

On Friday, Khaleej Times featured P. R. Bhaskar, a 60-year-old. who delivered newspapers in Ajman for 35 years and was still unable to build a house for himself in India or fulfil his wife's dream of visiting the UAE just once. Khaleej Times readers have come forward to make that dream come true.

PK, a Dubai-based businessman who wishes to remain anonymous, said this is a story that touched him immensely. "I felt very sad that after spending these many years, he could not realise one wish for his wife. I have been here for quite some time. I lost my wife a couple of years ago have since accelerated my gesture of giving." The businessman, who is also involved with the Butterfly Cancer Care Foundation in Kerala which helps children with cancer, said he is ready to arrange a visa and tickets for Bhaskar's wife.

Faisal Abdul Rehman of Dunes Hotel Apartment in Dubai said the property is ready to sponsor 5 nights complimentary stay for Bhaskar and wife.

Vinod Viswanath, a Dubai-based pharmacist, and wife Lavanya said that after reading about Bhaskar's life, they felt an immediate urge to help. "It's a heart-wrenching story though he says he is a happy soul and has no regrets. He has not even visited Dubai and was not able to realise his wife's dream despite three decades here. So my wife and I wish to offer the couple either a stay, or we can arrange their sightseeing," said Viswanath, 34.

Offers of help also came from places as far as Chennai in India. Kasim Ismail, 53, a regular reader of KT online and Facebook, said the report touched a chord. "It was around 1.30am when I finished reading and wanted to immediately offer some help in whichever way I could. I am ready to foot his wife's travel expenses or help in coordination with like-minded people."

"This is something which people usually pass off, but the KT report has evoked some good response. Way to go," Ismail said.

Some like Roshni Hamsa immediately identified the newsboy: "My parents have been in Ajman over the past 35 years and Bhaskar-ettan had been the one selling us the morning news until a few years earlier. It was a pleasure for my parents to read about him," she wrote.

Janardhanan Elayat, founder-member of the Punnayoorkulam Arts and Recreations Centre, a Dubai-based association of residents from Bhaskar's village, said they are ready to help their compatriot.

Babu K.T. from Abu Dhabi wrote that in a world of negativity and pessimism, the KT report on Bhaskar made a great positive read.

"This is a proof that humanitarianism still exists in the world due to the presence of good people like Bhaskar.

"Bhaskar is a role model. His passion to be a part of delivering knowledge to people, love for his job and his pleasure to serve the community are laudable," Babu said.

Gopal Nair from Dubai said the KT report lucidly portrays Bhaskar's anguish and tribulations since he came to Ajman 35 years ago.

"His enduring regret (of not fulfilling his wife's dream) has not made him a bitter man. He has displayed immense fortitude and kept his integrity and dignity intact. I salute him," Nair said.

"This is really heartbreaking. I'm really sad for him and his little unaccomplished dream. I've seen this guy on Wasit Square always when I used to travel on a regular basis. My wife used to tell me to buy a paper from him. Salute to you and may your life back home would be filled with joy and peace," Zulfikar Ali wrote on Facebook.

"Heartbreaking. So sad he was not able to give the dream of his wife, to visit Ajman and now he's retiring," commented facebook reader Nicky Ceralvo.

Jr Peña, another Facebook reader, said: "Such a nice article to read and think how blessed we are on our current job...salute this guy."

As for Bhaskar, the day turned out to be busier than usual with people stopping him to enquire about the report and take selfies.

He needed to call for extra copies of Khaleej Times to give to those who demanded -- free of charge, of course.

"Khaleej Times placed me on a mountain of joy, giving me better coverage than a prime minister," Bhaskar said, adding that he has only prayers to offer to those who have extended help.

suresh@khaleejtimes.com

• Ajman