Kendrapara: It’s easy to speak up for the mentally challenged, but difficult to care for them and extend a helping hand to those abandoned in the street. Jalandhar Paikaray, a driving class instructor, has been performing the role of a Good Samaritan for the mentally ill by spending from his hard-earned income.
“Self-satisfaction”, he says, is the reason why he’s doing this for the past two decades. He also wants to set an example to the younger generation, so that everyone played a role in “giving back” something to the society.
Fifty-year-old Paikray, youngest son of Jugal Paikaray of Nidhipur village near Jankia in Khurda district, is working as an instructor for the Neelanchal Driving Training Centre in Paradip.
With his limited earnings, he’s taking care of his family and sets apart a sum for helping the mentally challenged in the streets by providing them food, treatment, clothes etc.
“My salary is modest. Besides taking care of my family upkeep, I also spend money for my daughter’s pharmacist course. But, these people in the street deserve our help too,” says Paikaray.
“I came across a mentally ill person at Nalco, who might not have had a bath for years. He wore dirty clothes, and there was bad odour emanating from his hair and beard. Insects were flying around an injury on his head. I went near him and shaved the hair and beard, cut his nails and bathed him. I applied ointment on his wound and provided him food. It has turned into a passion for me now,” said Paikaray.
Paikaray rescues people seen eating from rotten garbage, walking barefoot in torn clothes and roaming on the Paradip-Cuttack Road and the Paradip-Chandikhole Road. He bathes them, shaves their hair and beards, clothes them and feeds them. Paikaray also provides treatment to the mentally ill. 
“Till my last breath, I would keep doing this. Caring for the abandoned and mentally ill persons gives me a lot of satisfaction. For me, serving them is like serving God”, said Paikaray.
Notably, Paikaray’s noble deed is supported and encouraged by his wife and other family members. “I feel proud of my husband though we have to remain in want most of the time. He spends some of his earnings to help the needy. I love him more for this and appreciates his good work,” said Sakuntala Paikaray, wife of Jalandhar.
Apart from taking care of the abandoned people, Paikaray starts his day by clearing garbage from public places and removing dust from the statues of eminent persons including former CM Biju Patnaik, and he also ensures no empty liquor bottle, thrown around, is found near the statues.
Paikaray has won laurels and has been felicitated by several organisations for playing a Good Samaritan role for the mental ill, in particular. 
PNN
