The France President Emmanuel Macron is to recognise a newspaper vendor 73-year-old Ali Akbar for his dedication in his profession unmindful of his age braving rain or shine. Hailing from Rawalpindi in Pakistan, the septuagenarian migrated to France in search of greener pastures and has been selling newspapers for the past 50 years at Latin Quarter in Paris.
According to sources, Akbar will be knighted in France’s National Order of Merit by Prez Emmanuel Macron this September. Notably, Akbar moved to France in 1973 and has been selling newspapers with enthusiasm. Known for his cheerful personality and deep love for print, he remains the city’s last walking newspaper vendor. Despite print media losing its sheen due to the innovation of digital format, Akbar continues to sell newspapers.
Following digital media turning to be readers’ favourite as it is handy to browse through in the cell phones, Akbar makes it a point to sell around 20 copies of Le Monde daily and has become a beloved local figure. Locals call him an “institution,” praising his dedication and spirit that keeps the neighbourhood’s charm alive. To be precise, he is keeping the newspaper reading alive, come what may.
“I just love the feel of paper,” Ali Akbar reported saying to a media in Paris, “I don’t like tablets and all that kind of stuff. But I do like reading. Whatever the type. Real books. But never on screens.”
[Read more on Radiancenews.com]