Jitu Thakur, once struck by polio, led a tough life in his village in Uttar Pradesh. He moved to Indore seeking independence but encountered brutality. That was until he met Kaali who transformed his life.
Jitu Thakur would run around like any other child, until the age of 10 when the disabling poliovirus infected his spinal cord, causing paralysis. The disease left him unable to walk normally, and despite all the medicines and treatments, Thakur’s legs never regained their strength.
As he grew older, Thakur faced a dilemma. Originally hailing from the village of Arnia Khurd in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, his disability made it challenging to find work. Undeterred, he decided to move to Indore in Madhya Pradesh sometime in 2015, hoping to start his own business and lead an independent life.
Life, however, had other plans for Thakur. Soon after arriving in Indore, he faced a terrible ordeal. Some heartless goons attacked him, leaving him badly injured. Thakur spent several months in the hospital, fighting to recover from his injuries.
During his time in the hospital, a friend of his paid him a visit. Concerned for Thakur’s safety, the friend made a suggestion that was to change Thakur’s life forever. He proposed that Thakur should consider getting a security dog to protect himself.
“A human friend may run away in times of danger, but a loyal dog would never leave your side, even if it means risking its own life,” his friend explained.
However, buying a trained security dog was an expensive proposition, and Thakur’s financial situation was far from stable. He then got an idea. He decided to become a dog trainer himself. If he could train dogs, he could not only have a faithful companion but also earn a livelihood.
Thakur’s journey into the world of dog training led him to Akram Khan, a renowned dog trainer in Madhya Pradesh. Khan not only taught Thakur how to train the canines but also gifted him a special companion, Kaali, a mixed rottweiler. Kaali became Thakur’s closest friend and guardian.
“Thakur demonstrated his dedication and skills as a dog trainer,” Khan said. “After a month of training, I decided to let him adopt a security dog because handling one on his own would be tough without the proper training.”
Today, Thakur and Kaali are inseparable. Kaali is not just a security dog but also Thakur’s best friend and lifeline. Together, they go about their daily routines, with Kaali helping Thakur in various ways. He fetches the keys to his scooter, locates his mobile phone, and even assists in catching thieves who dare to cross their path. Once Kaali has a hold of a thief, he doesn’t let go until the stolen items are returned.
Thakur takes immense pride in the fact that he trained Kaali himself, and now earns a living as a dog trainer. Their bond and teamwork are often the topic of conversation among people they come across. Everywhere they go, people are left amazed as they watch Kaali hop on and off Thakur’s scooter.
“Kaali has given me a new purpose in life,” Thakur said with a smile. “I can’t imagine my life without him by my side.”
Thakur’s bond with Kaali and his determination to overcome obstacles is a reminder that with the right attitude and a loyal friend, we can conquer any challenge life throws our way.
The lead image shows Jitu Thakur playing with his dog, Kaali (Photo by Teesta Rajan)
Teesta Rajan is the Associate Director of Village Vibe at Village Square. She is passionate about food, travel and culture.
