Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu): In this digital era when e-mails, pensions and monetary transactions are done seamlessly, here's a story that will roll you to at least a few decades back. For the past six months, postmaster Christuraja has been travelling all the way through the dense forests of Western Ghats — covering 25 kilometres — to deliver an old-age pension for just a woman centenarian living in a remote hamlet of Injikkuzhi. Located in the dense forest of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve above the Karaiyar Dam, Injikkuzhi is not something that is frequented by the outside world. But nothing could stop Christuraja from fulfilling his duty — not the wild forest nor even the maneating tigers. To discover the trials and tribulations that Christuraja treks every month to deliver the money to an equally eagerly looking forward pensioner in the remotest part, ETV Bharat accompanied the postmaster to know what it takes...
Every month Christuraja spends Rs 500 on diesel for a boat ride covering an 8-km round-trip to save on the trek distance and delivers Rs 1,000 towards the OAP issued as a postal money order. Usually, when the water level in the dam dips, Christuraja will have to take a different route and will have to cover double the distance of the regular route.
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The recipient Kuttiyammal (whose approximate age according to Forest dept. is 105) who lives alone beams a smile, when she receives the money.
When Tirunelveli Collector V Vishnu trekked to Injikkuzhi six months ago, Kuttiyammal had requested him to aid her financially by granting OAP, which was immediately sanctioned.
However, as Kuttiyammal cannot go to the nearest ATM to withdraw her money. This is where the services of Christuraja, the lone employee of Papanasam Branch Post Office has turned crucial, wherein his services cater to the Kaani tribal people who had been living in the deep forest for tens of centuries.
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Christuraja who also hails from a Kaani settlement begins his early morning trek with his breakfast and lunch packed. He takes a boat ride for about 4-km, one way from the dam, and goes on a trek into the woods. He eats breakfast near a stream before he proceeds further, and reaches Injikkuzhi village around noon. He gets back to the boat which he has to catch before the light goes out, spending the entire day on trek.
Christuraja sees it as a small measure he could do to bring a smile on the face of the centenarian. "I never deem the delivery as a burden. Only issue is that, I cannot embark on trek during working days. Hence, I would mostly trek on Sundays or on holidays. My family also supports me when I go on this day-long trek. As long as I serve here, I am happy to deliver this money order to Kuttiyammal", he says.
Kuttiyammal who is also equally happy tries to reciprocate the daunting and dangerous trek of Christuraja by offering him a coffee or food, which the latter refuses politely.
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