Man does a Gandhi statue act for a living

VIJAYWADA, FEB 3: At first sight, this Gandhi statue looks like any other with an aluminum paint coating, trade mark spectacles and walking stick. Except that this is isn’t a statue but a man standing still to make a living.The scene is repeated every day in the middle of a busy street in this town. The man, Hanumanthu, comes attired like Gandhi, rolls out a plastic sheet on the ground, steps on it and stands still for hours together.

He remains oblivious to his surroundings or to any type of disturbance. Passers-by often stop and stare, some even get down from passing vehicles for a closer look and offer money.

His daily collection ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 200 which he considers a reward for his ingenuity. Hanumanthu says he does the statue act for the sake of his three children. He has been unemployed since his wife died a few years ago. Hanumanthu is sometimes asked by political parties and cultural organisations to do the Gandhi statue act at their meeting venues to draw crowds.