Nongstoiñ(Meghalaya), Jan 01: Dming Nongsiej (48) of Khlemsarin village under West Khasi Hills district has never permitted the disability that he was born with affect his firm belief in the maxim that cleanliness is next to Godliness.
Dming was orphaned at the tender age of ten years old and was taken under the care of his elder sister with whom he resides till today.
While his disability has prevented him from taking up ‘regular’ work, he does more than his share wielding a dao on one hand while supporting himself on his walking stick on the other.
Showing absolute dedication to cleanliness, Dming sets about cleaning the areas surrounding his sister’s house every day. “I long to see the time when cleanliness is part and parcel of the daily life of each and everyone which will ensure pristine villages and towns everywhere,” he said .
Stating that he is yet to receive any support from the government, Dming says that he longs to set up his own little shop in the village and earn his own keep. “I am yet to get the opportunity or the means to do so,” he rues.
It may be noted here that there are many in West Khasi Hills district who, like Dming have been stricken since birth and do not get the help they need from the government simply because nobody has taken them to register with the government for help.
By special arrangement with Highland Post.
