Kendrapara, July 1: She is differently-abled. Her father is hearing-impaired and her mother is visually-impaired. The family makes ends meet working as labourers.
There may be few with such odds stacked against them; there may be fewer still who have overcome the challenges.
Meet Minati Barik, (28), member Ward No. 11 of Katanabania Gram Panchayat who has won hearts helping bonafide beneficiaries to access government-sponsored schemes.
She rides a damaged tricycle to `work’.
Minati is the daughter of Balaram Barik and Santilata Barik of Bajapur in the Katanabania Gram Panchayat of Rajkanika block.
Minati had struggled hard to get educated, but being ill most of the time she failed to clear matriculation. But the love and care extended to her by the people encouraged her to contest as a ward member during the last three-tier panchayat polls, and she emerged successful by defeating Golekha Parida by nine votes.
Minati was struck by polio when she was 10-months-old and became disabled. Yet, Minati riding her tricycle and moving door- to-door to help the poor by enrolling their names in social security schemes like the NMFSA ration card, old age and widow pension schemes is an unfailing sight.
“It is my responsibility to ensure that the people of my ward get government benefits. It is difficult for a disabled woman like me to move on a tricycle, but my willpower makes me go to Katanabania Gram Panchayat office regularly to represent my ward people before the local sarpanch and Panchayat executive officer,” said Minati.
Every day she visits houses and discusses with people about their problems. She is also involved in the anti-liquor movement and makes sure that the people of her ward remains free of liquor.
Poverty has failed to deter her from helping her voters, said Subhranshu Sutar, a local.
Minati suffers a lot travelling over the rough roads on her damaged tricycle to reach the Panchayat office.
Locals praise her efforts to help the poor, widows and the destitute of Bajapur.
People here say that if anyone can provide a scooty meant for the disabled to Minati it would have boost her morale and enable her to help the needy more efficiently.
PNN
