A 60-year-old man in south India who only earns around £3 a day spent his life savings to install a statue of himself in his hometown “to leave a mark on Earth”.

The man, named A. Nallathambi, comes from Atthanurpatty village near Vazhapadi in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, and earns his living by picking discarded bottles from the street.

Always desiring to create a name for himself, he hit upon the idea of installing a statue for himself that would enable people to remember him. The five-foot-tall statue of Nallathambi was built to celebrate the perseverance and hard work of a living man.

Nallathambi, who was a mason in his former years, gave up the work after it became too demanding. Eventually, he also fell out with his family and left them to start looking out for himself.

Nallathambi, who earns between Rs 250 and Rs 300 (GBP £3),
severed all ties with his family 20 years ago, and didn't want to share his savings with anyone.

A 60-year-old man in south India who only earns around £3 a day spent his life savings to install a statue of himself in his hometown “to leave a mark on Earth”.

A. Nallathambi of Atthanurpatty village near Vazhapadi in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, earns his living by picking discarded bottles from the street.

Always desiring to create a name for himself, he hit upon the idea of installing a statue for himself that would enable people to remember him. The five-foot-tall statue of Nallathambi was built to celebrate the perseverance and hard work of a living man.

Nallathambi, who was a mason in his former years, gave up the work after it became too demanding. Eventually, he also fell out with his family and left them to start looking out for himself.

Nallathambi, who earns between Rs 250 and Rs 300 (GBP £3),
severed all ties with his family 20 years ago, and didn't want to share his savings with anyone.