At a time when many are yet to understand the depth of the novel coronavirus crisis, a mentally impaired special sprinter is teaching “normal people” the meaning of social distancing at his workplace.

N. Sai Krishna, who works at a grocery shop, adheres to social distancing with all seriousness. From asking customers to maintain distance with each other to politely telling them not to crowd the grocery shop where he works.

Though the 21-year-old is mentally impaired, he behaves better than most of his customers some of whom continue to flout the social-distancing norms.

Krishna is working at a grocery shop in Sonari for over a month now and has become a cynosure of all eyes. Customers compliment him for tidy work and also his understanding of social distancing, a key element to keep the novel coronavirus at bay.

Thanks to the efforts of Jeevika, an NGO that works for the promotion of mentally impaired, which taught him the importance of social distancing. This Sonari resident seems committed to do the needful. His work at the grocery shop involves handing over the ordered essentials and keeping the shop tidy. Krishna sweeps the entrance of the shop with a broom every morning, prays for a while and keeps the essentials at their respective places.

“Whenever he spots a customer flouting social distancing, Krishna comes into action, requesting them with folded hands not to come close to each other. Krishna is disciplined and takes his job seriously,” said Jeevika founder Avtar Singh, a seven-time national cycling champion.

“I was very impressed when Krishna pointed out one day that I was flouting social-distancing norms. I immediately realised my mistake. Krishna is setting an example for normal people some of whom care the least when it comes to social distancing,” said Suresh Kumar, a customer.

The discipline, many feel, comes from Krishna’s life as an athlete. He returned home with two medals – silver in 100m and bronze in 200m – at the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Abu Dhabi last year. He has also claimed medals at national competitions.

“Duri bana kar rakhni chahiye. Coronavirus se bachna chahiye (We should maintain social distancing and save ourselves from novel coronoavirus),” Krishna said.

Grocery shopowner Manoj Kumar said he was happy with the attitude of Krishna. “Krishna is very attentive and does his job seriously,” he said.