A 'Messiah' of the downtrodden

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 22

“Lakshman Pradhan”, “Pradhan Ji”, “Messiah”, these were the names given to Dalit leader Lakshman Dravid by those who loved him. Thousands of people had gathered at his funeral held here yesterday to pay tributes to the departed soul. He became popular among the masses for his quality of helping all in a sincere manner.

“He had respect for every religion. Anyone, be it the strong or weak and the rich or poor, whosoever visited him for any kind of help, he would get up and never said no to anyone. Because of his helping nature, people loved him so much,” said Vijay Danav, for whom Lakshman was a “big brother”.

Dravid joined the Municipal Corporation way back in 1986 as a health worker. He became Sanitary Inspector in 2001 and then Chief Sanitary Inspector in 2014. Looking at his capabilities, the then Municipal Corporation Commissioner, MS Jaggi, made him the Nodal Officer for the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Dravid and his wife Tamsa Dravid made sure that their three children, Kakcy, Love and Kush, got the best education. His daughter has done MBA while both his sons are graduates. Though the family is all broken, still the children believe that the father’s mission of loving and helping all will always be given the priority. The mission of helping those in need will be continued, says the family.

Danav said Dravid became a member of BHAVADAS in 1980-81. And after that there was no looking back. He went on to become the state president, national vice-president, national organiser and national director of BHAVADAS. Not just that, he was also instrumental in regularising the jobs of hundreds of safai sewaks/workers.

“He was always at the forefront to help the weaker sections whenever they were in trouble,” said Danav. The loss is irreparable but Dravid’s message of “help all those in need” has to be spread widely, said Danav.