When people think of sanitation workers, they often picture them traveling by motorcycle, scooter, or small car. However, a sanitation worker in Karnataka state surprised many by driving a Toyota Fortuner to clean the streets.
The central figure in this story is Sesappa, a sanitation worker in the Navoor region of Bantwal town, Karnataka state. A video showing him driving the large SUV to the local government office quickly garnered attention.
In the video, Sesappa is seen behind the wheel of a white Toyota Fortuner. After parking neatly, he steps out, grabs a broom, and begins his street cleaning duties.
Sharing his journey, Sesappa revealed this achievement is the result of a long and arduous path. In 1996, he joined the Bantwal Town Council as a municipal worker, earning a daily wage of just 50 rupees (50 cents). Having only completed third grade, he faced difficult early years, with times when his family struggled for food.
A turning point arrived in 2005. After receiving advice from a local police officer, he decided to abandon his alcohol addiction to focus on work and family. From then on, he rebuilt his life through discipline and diligence.
To improve his financial situation, he did not solely rely on his sanitation worker's salary. After completing his 5-6 am shift—which involved sweeping roads, cleaning government offices, and collecting waste—he took on additional work managing the water supply system for the village council. He also engaged in farming and livestock rearing.
Income from these multiple sources gradually stabilized his family's finances. "The vehicle did not come from overnight luck, but is the result of many years of work, saving, borrowing, and gradually improving my life," Sesappa shared.
He began his vehicle ownership with affordable models. Over the years, he progressively upgraded through Maruti 800, Omni, Alto, Ritz, and Scorpio models, with his latest acquisition being a used Toyota Fortuner. His method involved selling his old car, combining the proceeds with savings, and taking out a small loan to upgrade to a better model.
Despite owning an SUV, Sesappa affirmed he has no intention of quitting his sanitation job. He believes no work is lowly if it involves honest labor, and he is proud that his work contributes to keeping the community clean and beautiful.
By My Anh (Source: Cartoq)
