Ready to serve

Doing a good turn is a reward in itself. Orissa POST met Trilochan Sahoo and Pravat Pradhan who have been helping others selflessly despite their modest means.

Trilochan Sahoo is a city-based auto-driver who has devoted his life to the service of the needy. A native of Banki in Cuttack district, he has been residing at Badagada with his mother since 2002. In 2012, he fell off a coconut tree and fractured his backbone. After two years of treatment, doctors pronounced that he would not be able to walk properly ever.

The accident brought a new turn to his otherwise uneventful life. He started working for the blind, physically challenged and the needy after the incident. “From that time, I decided to work for people in need. There are many hostels for the disabled like VRC Hostel at Gandamunda, All Odisha Orthopaedic Association, Bhubaneswar, Ambedkar Hostel for the Blind and the Bhima Bhoi Blind Hostel. More than 50 visually challenged students reside in Ramadevi Hostel. People from all these places regularly contact me whenever they want to travel in the city.

“Besides, if I ever come across an accident, I try to take the injured to the hospital. Sometimes, I spend the whole day with the victims and ensure that they get proper care. Occasionally, I also spend money from my pocket if I feel they are unable to pay. Often, I take them back to their place safely,” says Trilochan.

Trilochan always keeps a wheelchair, blind sticks, and walkers in his auto called ‘Atmiya.’ “If I find blind persons who have lost or broken their stick, I lend them my stick for a few days. Some passengers think my auto is only for the disabled and do not want to hire it.”

Trilochan also participates in rallies and awareness programmes organised for the disabled. Even though he is not well off, he never thinks twice about giving away money when a needy person seeks his help. To let everyone know about his work, he has displayed his contact number prominently on his auto. “People with disabilities and students from rural areas never think of visiting Bhubaneswar because they think they will face difficulties in commuting in the city. I help such people and I request all journalists to publicise my contact number so that more people can get my help.”

Trilochan gets praise for his work but not any financial help, unfortunately. He has taken his auto rickshaw on rent. He says, “I stay in a rented house and it’s difficult to survive on my meagre income. Sometimes I do not have money for fuel.  I have approached many politicians, including ministers, and other influential people to get a vehicle of my own or at least to get an interest free loan to buy one. But that remains a dream for me. But I have vowed to serve people as long as I am alive though it would have been a great help if I had a vehicle of my own.”

Pravat Pradhan, 47, from Apuja in Cuttack is another compassionate auto-driver in the city who is committed to the service of the poor. Pravat’s auto has this slogan prominently displayed: “Free ride for the physically challenged.”

Just call Pravat on his phone and tell him the location of an accident. He will reach the spot and take the accident victim or a person with disabilities to their destination.

People call him to ferry them to hospitals or Ahaar centres where they get free food. When someone offers him money for his service, he politely refuses.

Pravat starts his day at 7am. Occasionally, he gets calls at midnight in case of an emergency. Asked how he developed an altruistic attitude, Pravat says, “I was fond of helping people right from my childhood. After I grew up, I set up a cycle repairing shop at Sahid Nagar. I then used my cycle to help the needy. After I bought an auto, it became easier for me to serve the people in distress. Every month, I do 10 to 15 trips for free. I spend half the day for others while during the other half I earn for my family. My family is supportive though my wife complains when we face financial difficulties. But, she always takes credit when someone praises her husband for the noble work.”

There are a few physically challenged people who regularly call Pravat to take them to hospitals. Sometimes, he gives them chocolates and biscuits for their children.

Pravat also involves himself in Swachh Bharat activities such as cleaning roads or renovating a public place with the help of other youth in the locality.

Some people have played pranks on him. “Once, I received a phone call from Kalinga Vihar. The person told me that he had met with an accident and wanted me to pick him up from a certain place. But when I met the person, he was quite fit and was able to walk properly. He wanted to pay for a ride to his house, 10 km away. I felt it was a waste of my time and advised him not to do so again. Sometimes, I spend a whole day for others without gain. Recently, I carried a sick neighbour to the Capital Hospital. I could not say no to him since he sought my help. He was neither an accident victim nor physically challenged. He did not pay me anything though the family is financially sound.”

“I am not a rich person. But God has given me the strength to help others. I have met many obstacles and accidents, but I have rescued people from difficulties and I think their blessings
will take me a long way. I never aspire to lead a rich or prosperous life. I have food, shelter and clothes. That is enough for me and my family. But I will continue my good work till my last breath,” adds Pravat.