The pandemic has been a terrifying journey for many, especially for those in financial distress. 

Many people, including actors and the common man, have been coming forward to help the ones in need, especially those with small businesses, so that they don't go out of a job in such trying times. 

While many people saw the light at the end of the tunnel, we also witnessed generous folks like Rakesh, a roadside bookseller who works in Andheri, refusing to accept all sorts of financial aid for his business.

© iStock

Rakesh is a popular bookseller in Mumbai, who rents second-hand books that too just at Rs 10. 

While he could easily enhance his business by selling or renting the novels at a higher cost, the Rakesh, who is a massive bookworm, seems to be happy with the way things are functioning for him at present. 

When he rents the books, the only condition he maintains is that the customer returns the books and that too in good condition, once they are done reading it.

© Twitter/Aawanish Sharan

He mentioned that while people love to earn money and do what they love, the thing he loves surrounds him all the time and that gives him happiness. 

He further added that he has food, books and a roof over his head, which is enough for him. He would rather people help others, who are without food and shelter.

© iStock

We really have to admire his warrior spirit as Rakesh has a disability with just one functioning arm, however, he does not let that get in his way of earning his daily bread.

As per reports, many people suggested financial assistance to Rakesh but he declined them all, as he did not see the need for help.  

The reason why Rakesh came into the limelight was because of IAS officer Aawanish Sharan, who put emphasis on Rakesh's story and Tweeted it.

राकेश मुम्बई के अंधेरी में सेकंड हैंड पुस्तकों की एक छोटी सी दुकान चलाते हैं, जहां से आप 10/- रुपए में कोई भी पुस्तक किराये पर ले सकते हैं.
राकेश ने कहा कि लोग पैसे इसलिए कमाते हैं ताकि वो अपने शौक पूरे कर सकें. मुझे पढ़ने का शौक़ है और वो बिना पैसे खर्च किये ही पूरा हो रहा है. pic.twitter.com/VH3v0IydVZ

— Awanish Sharan (@AwanishSharan) November 29, 2020

Meanwhile, people are appreciating Rakesh's hard work and showing their support for the bookseller on Twitter:

सर, एक अच्छा पाठक एक अच्छे लेखक से भी ऊंचे दर्जे का बौद्धिक व्यक्ति होता है..
वैसे भी साहित्य में वही व्यक्ति ज्यादा रुचि रखते हैं जिन्होंने जिंदगी को ज्यादा करीब से जाना होता है..

— Sanjay Kumar, Dy. Collector (@dc_sanjay_jas) November 30, 2020

This man is blessed with sound mind....

— Neeraj Gulati (@NeerajGulati2) November 29, 2020

Books are the Best friends like no demands no complains. Even whatever knowledge they contain they give it to us. Only giving without any expectation in return. Only Books can do.

— shashikant shukla (@shashikantshuk1) November 29, 2020

I find the roadside book sellers or even the traffic light ones can judge which books or magazines might interest me pretty accurately and they are like ER physicians diagnosing within few seconds of my facial expression response to the books they quickly display and hide!

— nilanjana (@butjustellme) November 29, 2020

Andheri me kis jagah pr hain ye? Address ya contact number bhi dijiye.

— Sudhir Ojha 🇮🇳 (@Sudhircheojha) November 30, 2020

@CMOMaharashtra @OfficeofUT @AUThackeray kindly appoint him as a librarian in any school, college, public library.

— CA Manu Bansal (@ca_mk) November 30, 2020

आख़िरकार शौ़क़ बड़ी चीज़ है।
लोगों की शौक़ कभी खत्म नहीं होती और जिस व्यक्ति ने अपना शौक़ पूरी कर ओ दुनियां जीत ली।।

— Roнιт Pαɴdey (@95rohitpandey) November 29, 2020

He is at Marol Maroshi Road
Andheri East, Next to Uncle's Kitchen.

— Vini Kohli (@kohli_vini) November 29, 2020

This man is blessed with sound mind....

— Neeraj Gulati (@NeerajGulati2) November 29, 2020

naman haii Rakesh ji

— sujit. मुंबई 🕉 (@SujitBombay3) November 29, 2020

So, here is hoping the people of Andheri join forces to help out Rakesh and his wonderful business.

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