A resident of Dharbandora Pansulem, Siddharth Parshuram Tukkanache was born blind, and had 40% disability in both eyes. Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative illness and increases with age. Today, his disability has increased to 60% but not giving up, Siddharth has shown that he is a fighter. Currently working at Usgao Government Dispensary, Siddharth worked at many places. It all began at a tender age of 10 when he sold milk as the family owned cattle. Having lost his father at a young age, his mother Pavitra raised him and his two sisters. Born on November 16, 1988, Siddharth could complete education till Std 12 (Commerce) from V S Lad Higher Secondary. He did a diploma in computer applications. He also learnt Tally and basic typing. With those tools, he was prepared to face the world, earn and live a life of dignity.
“I worked with Shakti Motors at Belagavi for two years, and later got a one-year contractual job at Merck Pharma. In 2015 I got a government job as a multitasking staff (MTS) at Dhat Farm, Dharbandora Dispensary, Piggery Farm at Curti and finally at Usgaon Dispensary,” recalls Siddharth who got a promotion in 2021 after fighting for it for three years.
“I never considered myself as a person with a disability and never say no to any kind of work assigned to me,” he asserts. It’s a wonder how he loves sports and played cricket and football since school days. This experience of playing cricket led him to be associated with the Blind Cricket Association Goa, and represent Goa nationally two times, in November 2023 at Jammu and Kashmir and in January 2024 at Brabourne stadium in Mumbai where he was declared the best bowler.
“Goa Blind Cricket Association was started in 2014 but it got registered in 2017, and the credit goes to our captain Yashwant Nageshkar, who brought the team together and gave me a chance to play in the National Blind Cricket Tournament,” says a thankful Siddharth, an animal lover who feeds the strays in his area. A social person, he likes to attend events, functions and gatherings. “Live one day at a time, and live it fully,” is his mantra.
“I won't give up. I am willing to take any risk, and do any job. I want to experience life which is a package of challenges,” says Siddharth who studied in a normal school. In childhood his parents did not realise that there is some issue with Siddharth’s eyesight. Teachers made him sit on the front bench as he could not see writing on the board. At the age of seven he was given spectacles too, but they were of no use, as the nerve supplying blood to the eye was weak and shrunk. But the obstacles in his childhood and youth did not deter him from learning to ride a bicycle, two-wheeler or four-wheeler.
Siddharth feels lucky to have supportive family, mother Pavitra, sisters and wife Shreya. “Shreya is MA, BEd and recently got a job on lecture basis at Talaulikar College at Sacorda. I encouraged her to complete her education after our marriage. She is very supportive, and so is my sister Trupti, who is doing a nursing course. I look after her, as the other sister is married. I don’t shun my responsibilities,” claims this father of two daughters, Pari and Isha.
Siddharth’s mother, sisters and wife keep encouraging him to raise his voice and fight for justice, not worrying about the consequences. “My teachers at school always motivated me. Accommodative friends coaxed me to play cricket and football with them. Friend Vishant Nagvekar motivated me to fight for disability rights. Vijaya Sawant, Avelino de Sa, Prakash Kamat gave me courage and daring,” says a thankful Siddharth.
