Dubai: After trekking 15 kilometers every day, through dense forests to deliver letters in inaccessible areas of Coonoor, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, for 30 years, a 65-year-old postman named D Sivan has suddenly found internet fame. Tens of thousands of Indians took to Twitter to thank and honour him, for continuing to work even though he was “chased by wild elephants and bears”, and had to cross “slippery streams and waterfalls” to deliver the mails.
After Sivan's retirement last week, IAS (Indian Administrative Services) officer Supriya Sahu tweeted his picture and wrote: “He did his duty with utmost dedication for 30 years till he retired last week.”
According to a Indian news reports, Sivan used to deliver mails and pensions in remote areas, in forests near Singara and Marapallam. He used to trek 15 kilometers daily, from the Hillgrove Post Office near Coonoor, a hill station. On his journeys to the homes in remote areas, Sivan encountered elephants, bears and several other wild animals. However, this did not stop him from completing his tasks.
A 2016 news report on The Hindu website stated that Sivan was paid Rs12,000 (Dh587) per month, for his work. According to the report three years ago, he had said: “I have three years left for retirement. I enjoy serving the people, and I will do that till I retire.”
Calling him an unsung hero, tweep @ArvinderSoin wrote: “Postman D. Sivan’s story is a reminder that dedication has no off-season!”
Twitter user @mysuru_sen added: “Commendable job, in the era of the internet and smart phone many may not know that such a service exists in the postal department.”
Many tweeps even said he must be awarded with the Padma Shri award, India’s fourth-highest civilian award for his dedication.
And, @PDE09942497 tweeted: “He deserves a Padma Shri…. for such honest devotion towards his duties, for such a service, full of danger and hazards….”
Urging others to join in bringing the tweet to the attention of the Indian president, tweep @bathla_anshul added: “Let's make request to @rashtrapatibhvn to consider Mr. Sivan for the Padma Shree award.”
