Bhakti Chalak/Mumbai

Social media influencer and activist Hussain Mansuri moved many to tears through his recent gesture of going out of his way to meet a group of blind people from Pune, whohad come to Mumbai just to meet him.

Hussain Mansuri has a huge fan base for his work. People are often impressed by his philanthropic activities.

Ashish Gorthkar, a student studying in Pune, along with his four friends, travelled to Mumbai specifically to meet him. Ashish shared his emotional experience of this meeting while speaking to 'Awaz-The Voice Marathi'.

Ashish Tukaram Gorathkar is from Tembhurni village in Naigaon taluka of Nanded district. He is a second-year student at SP College in Pune.

Recounting the meeting, Ashish said, "We, a group of five friends, went to Mumbai for some work. Most importantly, we wanted to meet Hussain Sir. Upon reaching Mumbai, we were in the waiting hall of the Railway station, and we called Hussain Sir. Within just 2-3 minutes of calling, Sir reached there."

As Hussain Mansuri arrived, he spoke with each one. The youth represented 'Prerana Associations for the Blind' in Pune.

Ashish said, "As soon as Sir came, he affectionately asked about our well-being. He was happy that we had come specially to meet him. Shortly after the meeting, Mansuri Sir arranged for our food. Even though we had already eaten, he insisted that we ended up eating again."

Through their conversation, Hussain Mansuri empathised with their difficulties. He had an open-hearted chat with Ashish and his friends, and was particularly interested in their education.

Ashish says, "We had a very good conversation. He spoke candidly as if he knew us for a long time. Before leaving, he gave money to us. Not only that, he escorted us to Dadar station and made us board the train for Andheri. He told us 'I am like your elder brother."

Amid the plethora of 'influencers', Hussain Mansuri moves around the streets of Mumbai with a philanthropic spirit. No wonder he is known across the country.

Coming from a family of modest means, Hussain completed his education while working as a waiter. Probably, because of his hard life, he empathises with humans without consideration of religion.

Be it providing financial aid to cancer patients at Tata Memorial Hospital, or respectfully immersing photos of deities left unclaimed on the streets, his sensitive side is reflected in each of his actions visible in every action of Hussain.

The food distribution and medical help he provided during the COVID period are still remembered by many. More than 1 crore people are connected with him on social media, not just for entertainment, but because of his thoughts.

He wants to establish a charitable organisation dedicated to cancer patients and the education of poor children.

He set up the Prerana Associations for the Blind in 2003. This organisation has been working for the welfare of blind men and women in Maharashtra, especially in the Pune region, for 23 years. Its secretary, Satish Navale, an educated official, is also blind.

The most unique and significant initiative of this organisation is 'Diwali with Soldiers on the Border'. For more than two decades, the visually impaired members of the organisation have visited the Indian soldiers at the borders every year during Diwali and lovingly gift them Diwali snacks (Faral) collected from across Maharashtra. They have implemented this initiative on the borders in various areas, including Siachen.

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Besides, his organisation also runs a disability centre in Karad, Maharashtra, where various free courses are taught to make blind and disabled individuals self-reliant.