A washerman who washes social evils too

Dumka, Jharkhand, Nov 23 (UNI) He is a washerman by caste and profession but of different type. He believes in washing off social evils too, by using pen and paper in place of detergent and water.

Meet sixty-two-year old Gaurishanker Rajak, who is also known as ''Samaj ka Dhobi'' in the second capital of Jharkhand.

He is the one man army in his fight against social evils.

Mr Rajak, who uses pen and paper as arms and ammunition, is the editor and publisher of his hand-written newspaper, ''Deen Dalit'' which fights for the cause of socially and economically backward classes of the society.

Mr Rajak, who publishes his weekly from this tinsel town, has compelled the district administration not only to take congnizance of issues relating the implementation of welfare schemes, but also to conduct probe into several irregularities reported by ''Deen Dalit''.

His newspaper, the hard copy of which is hand-written and then photocopied, can be spotted on the walls of each and every government office, besides at bus stands and other public places.

Mr Rajak, who solely manages fund and news item, also looks after the circulation of the paper which has its permanent customers too.

''Earlier, nearly 40-50 copies were circulated but now the count has increased to around 300 copies,'' He told UNI.

Mr Rajak, who became nostalgic when asked about the beginning of the newspaper, said, ''About 22 years ago, I went to the welfare department as a beneficiary of a scheme launched for other backward castes. But the department officials refused to accept my application and even threatened me of dire consequences''.

''This incident not only opened my eyes about the red-tapism in the government departments but also forced me to bring all this among people. Hence, Deen Dalit was born,'' Mr Rajak added.

''Initially people used to laugh at me. They even commented that now a washerman will bring change in society'', he said.

''I also had to face the wrath of babus of the government department but very soon the administration started taking cognizance of my articles,'' he said.

Mr Rajak, who leads a family of six people, including his four children, manages to spend about Rs 700 for his newspaper from his income.

Local journalist Shailendra Sinha, who often helps Rajak to collect news for the last couple of years, said,''True to its name, Deen Dalit has the real voice of the downtrodden.'' UNI AM SB RJ GC1455