Kondiba-A Hero

Two times

Kondiba went into the well twice before finding Arvind. On the first dive, he reached the bottom but found nothing, and on the second dive he felt the boy's clothes and then Arvind's legs. After that, he held Arvind's belt and pulled him free.

Rs. 12,970 and skill training

The text clearly states 'Rewards totalling Rs. 12,970 were presented to him. For a few months, he was given a home in a Home for the Blind. Here he learnt some skills such as bottling and the weaving of chair seats.' This comprehensive reward included both monetary compensation and practical skill training that helped him become self-sufficient. The specific amount and skills mentioned are important details showing society's recognition of his heroism.

Moved to Jalna, married, and started a small business

The story concludes with 'Today, Kondiba lives in Jalna, a market town close to his native village. He has married a local girl and runs a small business.' This shows how the recognition and rewards transformed his life completely. He was able to leave his life of begging, return closer to his home area, establish a family, and become economically independent through his own business.

It was against his dignity and self-respect

The opening line 'Kondiba Gaikwad hated begging' and the closing line 'The beggar who hated begging need never beg again' emphasize this point. Begging was against his nature and dignity. He was forced into it by circumstances (famine), not by choice. The story shows he was a person with self-respect who wanted to earn his living through honest work, but circumstances forced him to beg, which he found demeaning.