Binjharpur: At a time when ‘Rally for Rivers’, an initiative launched by Sadhguru has been an internet sensation with citizens giving missed calls to save rivers, meet 85-year-old, Drupad Jena of Pairakh village under Chikana panchayat of this block in Jajpur district, who has beaten his age and taken up the mission of cleaning a river of his village.
When people of his age are busy spending time with their grand-children or most of them bed-ridden, Jena is an exception even at the age of 85. His goodwill and strong willpower in cleaning the river as a sign of Swacchh Bharat Mission is highly inspiring. Jena has been receiving accolades from all for his good work and initiative.
This is first such work of cleansing the river in the area. Kushabhadra river, also considered a sacred river, is a well-known river as it flows through the Baruneswar Mela, the biggest Mela in Jajpur district.
However, the river is also called ‘Kusia Canal’ as it has been reduced to nothing but a drain because of all the waste and swamp discarded in it. Some portions of the river have even dried up due to excess waste.
Even as the drainage department is endowed with the responsibility, the officials concerned pretty much serve the contractors who on the other hand swindle lakhs of money on the pretext of cleaning the river.
That’s when Jena took up the responsibility of cleaning the river on his own. He began his mission by cleaning the canal near Baruneswar temple. He has achieved the feat of cleaning over 200 metre of the canal on his own in only two days.
His efforts have not only been highly praised by locals but also tourists visiting the temple offer a hand to the man for his good deeds. “I get immense pleasure in cleaning the river. It is my wish to clean as much as I can,” Jena quips.
He is indeed a very clean-oriented man. No sooner he sees garbage in village streets and corners, he sets off his hands in the cleaning. While political parties, NGOs and government officials have been claiming of Swacchh Bharat Mission, the efforts by Jena are highly praiseworthy, a tourist said, heaping praises on Jena.
When contacted, local sarpanch Debanand Mallick said that the locals were proud of Jena for his efforts and good work. “We are planning to felicitate Jena and bring the matter to the notice of the district administration,” he further added. PNN
