Divisional Disaster Management Officer, Ganjam Dr Sweta Kumar Dash has created a special identity among the few officers who have made successful attempts to make the district corona-free. Coming to the district on deputation since the beginning of corona outbreak, this OAS officer has kept away from his family and served the people with all dedication for the last six months. Appreciations showered on him have proved this. Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Ganjam district Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange have all patted him often.
Even the Collector, in a communiqué, has informed the Government that Ganjam still needs Dr Dash for the corona fight.What has recognised Dr Dash’s commitment to job the most in recent times is the short film, ‘Mask’, written and directed by him. The film bagged first position in the international film festival by pushing over a hundred of films to the back. Born to Ganeshwar Dash and Binodini of Khallikote on June 20, 1976, Dash did his matriculation in the village school and completed his graduation in the Khallikote College, Brahmapur. He then did his post-graduation, MPhill and PhD in the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
He succeeded in the Odisha Civil Service examinations in 2005 and started his Government service career as Additional Tehsildar, Rayagada. Amid adverse situations, he successfully served the KBK area for six years. He typified development aspects in the region. His successful efforts in implementation of people’s welfare programmes and infrastructural projects made him a popular officer in the region.
During his stint as District Welfare Officer, Koraput, Dr Dash made a national-level record by distributing forest land patta to a whopping 50,000 forest dwellers.
Then, he went on to serve as Deputy Collector, Jagatsinghpur and Jajpur and Tehsildar of Digapahandi, Brahmagiri and Chilika. He proved his mettle as an emerging good administrator again by leading the eviction drive of Sura Baba Ashram at Jhiinti while he was Tehsildar, Balianta.
His role in making 1,307 acres of Government land encroachment-free at Sipasarubali and bringing them to Government fold is also well-recorded. As many as 18 officers from different places of State was deputed to Ganjam to control the spread of coronaviurs, which had taken alarming proportions during the period. Dr Dash was one among them. From welcoming migrant workers at railway stations to rehabilitating them at quarantine centres, to managing CCCs and Covid hospitals, he has made extraordinary efforts. As Enforcement Officer, he discharged his duty successfully in execution of all Covid guidelines and, for this, faced the ire of many people.“It is an opportunity to work efficiently amid adversities,” said Dr Dash.
The RDC, Southern Division, had felicitated him as a Covid Warrior on the occasion of Independence Day. While 17 of the deputed officers have returned to their original places of postings, Dr Dash is still posted as Enforcement Officer of Brahmapur subdivision and is entrusted the responsibility to manage three Covid Hospitals in district. “Making Government schemes reach people and, thereafter, seeing smiles in them makes me happy,” said Dr Dash.