Odisha villagers bid unique adieu to pharmacist who served them for 36 years

Goodbyes are hard, especially to someone who cares for us and makes us feel special. It is very hard to bid adieu to those close to our hearts, maybe because of the bond and the love we share or develop with them over time.

However, nothing is permanent and every good thing comes to an end. As long as we live, a time will come when we have to separate or lose a person, permanently or temporarily and it can really hurt us.

Residents of Tipiguda under Dharmagarh block in tribal-dominated Kalahandi district learnt it the hard way when it was time to bid farewell to their favourite pharmacist Rajeswar Patro.

After serving people in remote and inaccessible villages of Kalahandi district, Patro has finally retired from his job as a pharmacist. As a tribute to his unconditional care and treatment, locals organised a grand farwell for Patro.

Tipiguda reverberated with chants of ‘Patro sir zindabad’, music, dance, and firecrackers as villagers took out a procession and organised a grand farewell for Patro, who worked tirelessly to provide proper healthcare in the remote areas.

Be it men, women, or children, everybody in the area participated in the procession and made the event a memorable one. His contribution to tribal villages is beyond remarkable as he has been awarded 7 Kayakalp Awards from the state government for his high level of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control in Tipiguda Health and Wellness Centre.

Although Patro is a pharmacist by profession, he was no less than a doctor for the residents here.

 “I always preferred to serve in remote and inaccessible areas so that I can take health facilities to all the people and stay close to people. I’m a pharmacist, but being a good human being and connecting with poor and neglected people has always been my first priority,” said an emotional Rajeswar Patro.

“I’m a pharmacy student, but I owe my experience to Rajeswar sir. After I came to know about his qualities, I consider him my guru. He has done everything for me. He has taught me like a father teaching his own son. From how to behave with a patient and to serving them, Rajeswar sir has taught me everything,” said his aide Bhupati Bodek.

“He was serving here for the past few years but has retired now. He has done more than one can in a lifetime, so we are giving him farewell today. More than a pharmacist, he was a very good human being,” a local resident said.