Malayinkeezh: When VV Giri, the former President of India, visited Sabarimala in 1973, he was carried up the hill in a cane chair by four dolly carriers. Among them was Kunnuvila Puthenveettil N Krishnankutty, who, along with the others, helped the President navigate the steep climb. After offering prayers at the temple, the same chair was used for his descent.

Now 81 years old and residing in Kattuvila, Peyad, Krishnankutty no longer remembers the names of the other three men who accompanied him that day. Having served as a dolly carrier at Sabarimala for over two decades, he has borne many eminent personalities on his shoulders throughout his career.

Today, Krishnankutty works as a security officer for a private villa project in Kattuvila. However, years of carrying heavy loads on his shoulders have taken a toll on his health. Both of his legs have developed curvature, and the bones have weakened, causing cracks and swelling. He also underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his head.

Krishnankutty now lives with his 75-year-old wife, Kanjana, in a half-built house. His two main sources of income are a government welfare pension and the wages he earns as a security official for the villas.

While the Union Government had decided to offer government jobs to the dolly carriers who assisted the President in climbing the hill, Krishnankutty was excluded. All three of the other carriers received jobs, but Krishnankutty was left out. It is believed that the authorities could not provide him a position due to a lack of clarity regarding his personal details.