Kaduthuruthy: Sunny John, 60, who has overcome his physical disability, is now conquering even the tallest trees. He cuts them down with a chainsaw weighing up to 5 kg, balanced on his amputated right palm, with a rope tied around his waist. He began working as a tree cutter at the age of 17 and today fearlessly takes on trees that many skilled workers hesitate to approach.

Sunny John, of Pandanchirayil in Thalayolapparambu, lives with his wife Ajitha and their children Bijith, Bijitha, Bijo, and Bibin. His life took a difficult turn at the age of 10 when he fell from a mango tree and landed on an Indian coral tree (Mullu Murikku). The injury led to a severe infection, and after prolonged treatment, his right hand had to be amputated from the elbow. Poverty at home, however, forced Sunny to join a team of woodcutters.

His skills extend far beyond cutting trees. He is equally adept at carrying timber and loading it onto vehicles. Every morning, Sunny sets out for work with an axe strapped to his amputated right palm and a rope around his waist.

Most of his work is in the Kaduthuruthy area, but when tree-cutting jobs are scarce, he takes up agricultural work. He also tends to his own small farm. Despite several accidents—including a severe leg injury caused by an electric chainsaw that required surgery—Sunny returned to work as soon as he could walk again.

Sunny owns just four cents of land and, along with his wife, takes care of his mother-in-law. The family lives in a rented house. Known for his simple lifestyle, he has no bad habits and hands over his entire earnings, which sometimes go up to ₹2,000 a day depending on the work, to his wife. Local residents say Sunny is indispensable when it comes to removing dangerous trees that threaten houses and electric lines.