School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash is now getting all accolades for spending sleepless nights in the interior flood-hit villages to express his solidarity with the affected people.
Directed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Dash is looking after the flood-affected pockets in his own Nimapara constituency and adjoining areas.
Dash is wading through west-deep, at times at neck-deep, floodwaters to reach out the marooned people with cooked food, dry food packets, drinking water and medicines.
“Ever since the floodwaters entered several villages under Nimapara and Gop blocks, I have stopped going home. I have also discontinued my daily showers and breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wherever evening descends, I live with the people, assess their requirements and coordinate with the administration to provide them succour,” Dash told this newspaper on Tuesday.
He said he has to address the affected people’s psychological conditions too. “Since the people suffer on many counts, including crop loss and house damage, they get agitated and don’t hesitate to create unruly scenes. Everyone wants immediate attention and help. I just try to assure and console them in the language of love and affection,” said he.
On Sunday afternoon, groups of people with sticks in their hands reached the Gop block office and entered the BDO’s chamber, where the Minister was holding a review meeting. They insisted on providing them motorboats and country-boats to carry food items and medicines for the marooned people.
Observing that the angry people would not desist from their move unless they get immediate assurance, Dash requested them with folded hands to calm down and wait for some time. He succeeded to mobilise at least two motorboats from Astarang and handed them over to the people.
“During the crisis of this level, people’s representatives have to get down to the level of villagers and make realistic efforts to assuage their feelings,” said Dash.