Dedication pays off: ‘Brave’ ASHA worker awarded with PMAY house for courageous service during Cyclone Dana

Sibani Mandal, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker from Khasmunda village of Rajnagar block in Kendrapara district, who has earned praises from all quarters for her courageous service during severe cyclonic storm Dana, has been awarded with a Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) house for her dedication towards her work.

Taking to the X formerly known as Twitter, Kendrapara Collector and District Magistrate shared the details about the work order and wrote, “Acting on the directive of the State government, the district administration has sanctioned a PMAY(G) house to ASHA didi Sibani Mandal of Rajnagar block in Kendrapara district for her excellent humanity and selflessness service during Cyclone Dana.”

Mandal’s act of selfless service during the testing time grabbed the eyeballs of many after a video of her carrying an elderly woman on her shoulder to a cyclone shelter went viral on various social media platforms.

Demonstrating commendable dedication, Mandal carried a total of nine people, seven elders and two pregnant women, piggyback to cyclone shelters. 

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Deputy CM Pravati Parida among others praised Mandal for her dedication. CM Majhi, after reviewing the cyclone Dana situation on Friday, also lauded the work of the ASHA worker and had a telephonic conversation with her.

“The CM spoke with me. I was not aware of this. I am happy that my work has been praised by all. I have always tried to help people as everybody’s financial condition is not good. Hence, I try to ensure that I take patients to the government hospital. Other ASHA workers sometimes oppose me. But I have never worked for money,” said Mandal to OTV.