Hawkers get bicycles as Diwali gift

In a unique gesture, the Nawanshahr administration saluted the hard work of newspaper hawkers and accorded them a special honour by giving them new bicycles as a Diwali gift at a simple ceremony organised at ITI gound here today. The occasion was organised with the support of the District Red Cross Society. As many as 35 newspaper distributors were honoured.

The event was named as Navi Udaan-Suchna di Sawari.

Hawkers were overwhelmed with such a gesture shown for the first time to them. Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Dhiman said newspaper distributors wake up around four in the morning without leave and sacrifice their comforts in extreme winter, hot and bad weather. “They deliver newspapers at homes and offices without delay. But people do not even know their names,” he added.

The DC said the main religion of these headstrong, tireless and hardworking people is their hard work. The Deputy Commissioner said this was not a charity, but a noble effort by the district administration to salute their hard work and passion.

Dhiman further added that the purpose of honouring these hardworking people was also to give them respect along with encouragement

The hawkers said by receiving the honour, they have got a ‘Nayi Udaan’ (new flight).

The hawkers said even after several years of experience in distributing newspapers, today was the happiest moment for their families. The hawkers also thanked the Deputy Commissioner for this initiative. Many newspaper distributors were also seen getting emotional on the occasion of receiving the honour.

MLA, Banga, Dr Sukhwinder Sukhi, AAP leader Lalit Mohan Pathak Ballu, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Rajeev Verma, SDM, Nawanshahr, Dr Akshita Gupta and others were present.