Paralysis fails to immobilise Hoshiarpur farmer

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 31

Karnail Singh (41), a farmer from Bassi Gulam Hussain village in Hoshiarpur, met with an accident two years ago that left him partially paralysed. However, after remaining away from his fields for almost a year, his love for organic farming brought him back to the fields. On Republic Day, he was given an appreciation letter by Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh.

Karnail Singh does farming on 3 acres of his organic-certified farm where he grows seasoned vegetables. Right after his physiotherapy session, he goes to his fields by his tricycle. However, it was not easy to restart life again. He also goes to organic mandi, which opens every Sunday, to sell his produce.

“I didn't allow negativity come near me. Instead of complaining, I thank God that he gifted me life. Accidents happen and it happened with me too, but that doesn't mean that I will leave everything and cry over it,” he said.

He goes to his farm around 11 am and remains there till 6 pm. He said earlier he used to spray chemicals in his field, but after losing his sister-in-law to cancer, he switched to organic farming.

“I was taken aback when I saw a death in the family. Chemicals were used till we had to reap its results ourselves. That was the time I decided to go natural,” he said.

The strong-willed farmer said doctors had told him that he would be fine one day. “I know that I will stand on my feet one day,” he said.