Hyderabad :

A tall man has got a complimentary pass from the State Road Transport Corporation, offering him free bus travel in Andhra Pradesh.

At 7 feet six inches, Gattaiah walked his way into the Limca Book of Records several years ago, but poverty has not deserted him.

With an artificial leg and just a contract job to eke out a living, Gattaiah is a familiar face at the Shilparamam in the hitech city, Madhapur. He lost his leg to an infection sometime ago.

The lanky figure is an attraction at the Crafts Bazaar. Standing beside a large wooden chair, he is seen being clicked on mobile cameras by visitors. Hailing from a village in Karimnagar district, Gattaiah hardly studied and could not get a proper job.

Seeing his plight and reading about him in the media, the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Transport Corporation A.K. Khan has given him a free bus pass for one year.

The free pass will allow Gattaiah to travel in buses of Pallevelugu, express, deluxe & super luxury, said a press release from the Corporation.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National / by The Hindu Bureau   somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in / Hyderabad – November 07th, 2013