life is not a bed of roses for para teacher Saroja Buda in Brajrajnagar municipal area. Almost daily, she has to cross the accident prone Bheden river and a dense forest road on the other side of the river to reach her school for duty.
However, with meager salary of Rs 3,000, it is difficult for Saroja (42) to maintain her family comprising her daily wager husband and two small kids.
Originally a resident of Nuapada district, Saroja is posted as a para teacher by the State Government in Khait Project Upper Primary School under Mouda Panchayat in Jharsuguda block.
The distance of the school from her residence via Jharsuguda town is about 60 km. But she prefers crossing river Bheden in a country boat which cuts down the distance to 12 km even though it is risky. Moreover, she has to save time and energy considering the fact that she shoulders a lot of responsibilities back at home.
And this forces Saroja to accept the challenge to cross the turbulent waters of the river herself and then walk through a forested road alone. At times, when there is no boat man in sight, she just rows for herself and has set an example for other women.
She has appealed the district Collector to post her in a school near her village, though the possibility seems remote given the fact that there is no transfer facility for para teachers. While she hopes that her prayer would be heard some day, the dangerous ride does not deter her to turn up for daily duty.