Sometimes, all it takes is just one individual noticing something that no one else sees. One young engineer-turned-photographer who hails from the state ofKerala found out just how true this could be after making the discovery of a lifetime through a photography trip gone well beyond his expectations. This meeting would go on to change not only his life, but also many others’ throughout the nation.As per the Instagram account named @nandu_promedia, Nandu, who is a photographer now, was previously working as an electrical engineer but decided to quit this job to become a professional photographer. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next, and thus, travelled around Kerala with a rented camera.While out on one such trip, Nandu came across an old man rowing a tiny wooden boat on the Meenachil River in Kerala. Unlike the other boats on the river, this one was not being used to catch fish nor to travel from one point to another. The man was collecting all the floating plastic waste in the river that had been polluting the river for several years.How he found about N S Rajappan This man was none other than N S Rajappan fondly referred to as Rajappan Chettan. In spite of being a paraplegic since childhood and unable to walk, this 69-year-old man dedicated his life to cleaning the river. He would climb up to the riverbank every morning, board his boat and spend his time taking plastic waste out of the river. He cleaned the river despite lacking any financial assistance, lack of appreciation from anyone or even support from any environmental organization.Moved deeply by the scene, Nandu took a photograph of Rajappan amidst the plastics that he had collected. Before leaving the place, Nandu showed the picture to the old man and the old boatman smiled silently without realising that the photo would soon be seen by millions of people.According to @nandu_promedia, the photo went viral very quickly across the social media platforms, garnering huge appreciation for Rajappan’s dedication. Many people wondered how a person living with a disability worked day and night to preserve the environment whereas other people turned a blind eye to the increasing pollution problem around them.Soon, the story traveled outside India too. The former UN Environment Chief, Erik Solheim shared the story of Rajappan through social media and asked everyone to realise the incredible contribution of Rajappan towards environmental preservation. Later, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi praised him in an episode of Mann Ki Baat for cleaning the Meenachil River.The newfound interest made a significant impact on Rajappan’s life since a businessman donated a motorboat to him which helped him to easily keep on cleaning the river while a motorized wheelchair was gifted by a wheelchair manufacturer in Bangalore which helped him move around much easier. Money and support started coming in from all over the country and he got the opportunity to keep going with his work with better means.However, Nandu gained something completely different from this experience since this event became a breakthrough in his life and helped him realize that photography is not only an art but also a way to highlight and inspire people and their deeds. The relationship between the two is an intimate one that transcends the viral photo that helped bring Rajappan into the spotlight. This story serves to demonstrate how much can change when someone decides to take the time to listen to a story that should be heard.
