Padmapur: The visuals of the heartrending Dana Majhi episode stirred his soul and led him to launch a hearse service. Meet Sanjay Sahoo, resident of Gunupur in Rayagada district, who offers the service free of cost to the needy.
Sahoo, the founder of an institution which imparts training on science and technology in Gunupur, said he was shocked to see Dana Majhi on television and newspapers.
“The whole world saw how a man from Kalahandi walked almost 10 km carrying his wife’s body on his shoulder with his minor daughter accompanying him due to abject poverty and poor government ambulance service. Since then, I had decided to save money from my earnings and buy a hearse which would help the kin of the deceased,” said Sahoo, the son of Subash Chandra and Renubala Sahoo.
Be it a rich or a poor person, a carrier is required to shift the body from hospital to home, he added.
Keeping this in mind, Sahoo bought a vehicle which can accommodate a few family members along with the body.
Besides, he would bear the maintenance as well as the fuel expenses of the hearse service which he has named ‘Swarga Rath’.
The service, launched March 23, has been extremely useful for the needy, locals expressing their gratitude to Sahoo, said.
Dayanidhi Barik, a volunteer of the area, is in charge of the service and also drives the vehicle.
The hearse would operate in Padmapur, Gunupur, Ramnaguda, Gudari and Kashinagar of the district, it was learnt.
One can have access to the service by making a phone call on a particular number, Sahoo said. The unique initiative has been widely appreciated. PNN