A 76-year-old Sikh man living on the streets of Delhi, who is reportedly a graduate from Oxford University, found himself with a comfortable roof over his head and scores of well-wishers, due to the efforts of a man who told the world his story on Facebook.
Raja Singh Phull says that he was living overseas in the 1960s, when his brother forced him to bid goodbye to his life there and return to his homeland. As reported by NDTV, the brothers began to run a motor business in Mumbai, which failed after his brother’s death.
His two sons also abandoned him, says Phull.
Delhi resident Avinash Singh crossed paths with Phull and learned his story. He then shared it on Facebook in detail, mentioning in his post that although Phull was reluctant to accept or beg for help, his health was failing and he needed support.
In his post, Singh mentioned that Phull earns an erratic living by sitting outside Visa Centres and helping applicants fill their forms.
I fill forms, help and guide people earning from zero to 100 rupees, sometimes more!Raja Singh Phull, as mentioned in the Facebook post
On days that Phull is unable to make any money, he relies on the langar at the Gurdwara.
However, Phull tells Singh that he would never wish to beg for food or comfort.
"I earn and buy my food. For Langar I need to contribute. If I'm unable to, I have no right to eat there”, he said.
The post mentions that Singh has two sons. Since his wife’s demise, neither his sons nor any relatives have reached out to him.
As reported by NDTV, Singh’s Facebook post had been put up sometime on Friday, 20 April. It went viral soon after, with over 5,000 shares that led to many offering help to the old man.
Since the post went viral, Phull has been shifted to an old-age home in Delhi and is very curious about the concept of ‘going viral’, which he understands, is what helped turn his life around.
(With inputs from NDTV)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)