Sohela: Playing the role of a Good Samaritan, labour and power minister Sushant Singh lent his shoulder to carry the body of an elderly Dalit destitute woman and helped in performing the last rites Tuesday evening.
The matter came to the fore after some pictures of the minister were uploaded on social media. Appreciation poured in from all quarters. “The noble gesture of the minister has restored faith on humanitarian ethics,” said a villager.
The incident was reported from Sahutikira village under Sohela block in Bargarh district.
According to reports, the septuagenarian woman, identified as Mati Bhuye, a destitute, was living in a shanty in the area for a few months. Due to illness, the ailing woman breathed her last in her dilapidated hut Tuesday evening.
Even as her family members were informed about Mati’s demise, they didn’t come to perform her last rites. Moreover, the villagers were reluctant to touch the woman even hours after her death.
After getting information, the minister stepped forward and reached the spot along with his supporters. He then ferried the body on a cot to a nearby cremation ground with the help of his supporters and a few volunteers. Singh also performed her last rites.
The incident has triggered quite a buzz in the locality. Some have appreciated the move of Singh, while some others have termed it a publicity stunt. They also took to the social media platform to accuse the minister of playing cheap politics to attract voters.
Earlier, BJD’s Rengali MLA Ramesh Patua had shouldered the body of an elderly woman to a cremation ground at Amnapali under Kolabira block in Jharsuguda district and conducted the funeral.
PNN
