Friendship Day: Unique tales of sacrifice, love and dedication from different corners of Odisha

Though it is often said that we are getting away from social values and spending a lot of time interacting with others through social media, there are several instances, which prove that true friendship still exists and are inseparable part of our day-to-day lives.

On Friendship Day, we bring you stories from different parts of Odisha that will definitely instill your faith in friendship.

Friends Forever

Sulochana Jena and Sadhabani Sahu are visually challenged and it is now for the past 10 years that they are each other’s strength. Though they were born at different places in Ganjam district, it was destiny that brought them together and for a good cause. It was at a training centre in Berhampur that both Sulochana and Sadhabani encountered each other.

It was during that period that both decided to stay together and help each other.

“It is now last 10 years that we have been staying together. We have immense love and we complement each other in daily works,” said Sulochana.

"Sulochana is my friend but we have a relation which is more than that is between siblings," said Sadhabani.

Both of them are now staying at a house at Indanapur. Sadhabani is educated and passed OTET. However, she is now spending time in misery after failing to get a job. As they are Divyangs, it is practically hard on their part to do any other job. They are now spending their lives on whatever help they get from people in the neighbourhood.

Jai And Veeru From Chitrakonda

Friendship knows no boundaries and it means standing for each other in time of adversity. K Ashok Rao and Manoj Singh from Chitrakonda in Malkangiri have proved the adage. Ashok is physically challenged and is unable to walk. However, he has found a true friend in the form of Manoj who has been a guiding force since childhood. It is for this reason that people call them as Jai and Veeru of Chitrakonda.

Manoj has been standing strong with Ashok when others failed to come to his rescue during times of hardship. Manoj’s day is incomplete without meeting and spending time with his friend Ashok.

“Whenever I get ill, my friend Manoj always takes care of me,” said Ashok.

“I get immense happiness to stay with Ashok at a time when others ignored him,” said Manoj.

Man-Animal Friendship

It is not that friendship exists only between humans...With love, humans can also develop a unique bond with animals. Meet Kalandi Rout of Sindhal village in Jagatsinghpur district who has set an example by giving immense love to a monkey after the death of its mother, some one and a half years back. Since then, the monkey is now part of his family. It plays with humans and that has now become the talk of the town.