14-year-old Payal from Jamunabahal village in Bolangir does not have hands or legs. But, her passion for life has made her a celebrity in her district. So much so that the district Collector of Bolangir has heaped praises on her.
She lost her hands and limbs in an industrial accident in Raipur seven years back where her parents were working as bonded labourers. She neither had forehands to hold a pencil neither ankle to wear anklets. What she has is her enthusiasm to live life to the lease.
She never allowed herself to get bogged down by bullies neither by any negativity by anyone. When OTV caught hold of her in 2015 after her accident, she had narrated her desire to be a dancer and painter one day. But rued that she did not have hands and legs to accomplish her dreams.
Come 2022, she is 14 years old and has won a painting competition in her school. Her parents are still working as bonded labourers in Raipur but Payal is dancing her hearts out in her school.
District Collector, Chanchal Rana said, “The way she is drawing and dancing, moreover her zeal to live her life to the fullest is motivational to the core. Even I get motivated by her.”
She is currently studying in Parbati Giti Balniketan Child Care Institute as a residential student. She does not have limbs but she has learnt the art to live life. She does not have hands but the drawings she has been doing by holding the pencil in her mouth inspire many.
After all her achievements, Payal wants one more thing to treasure in her mind, to show her drawings to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Speaking to OTV, Payal said, “I am happy that Collector has appreciated me, but I will be happiest if CM Naveen Patnaik gets to see my artworks.”
While bonded labour has become a vice for the poor in Western Odisha where the hapless people are forced to resort without employment opportunities in the State, the story of Payal has certainly instilled hope in many of her classmates to not bow down to poverty.
(Reported By Manaranjan Joshi, OTV)
As per reports, the girl student studying in Class VIII alleged that her Science teacher behaved inappropriately with her during the class. After a complaint in this regard was made by the girl students, the school headmaster convened a meeting to form a disciplinary committee for inquiry.
“When the Science teacher was questioned, he denied legitimacy of the allegations. I have already informed the District Education Officer (DEO) about the matter,” said Raghab Panigrahi, headmaster of the school.
Meanwhile, the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members visited the school and recorded the statement of the divyang girl, family members of the complainant and teachers of the school.
“We have recorded the statements and collected evidence. Besides, the committee will immediately seek a report from the DEO on the action-taken and ask Punitala IIC to probe the matter after lodging an FIR,” said Sunita Tripathy, CWC member.
According to Police, the accused identified as Surendra Naik of same village had come to the house of the girl with liquor and shared it with the survivor's father. The accused committed the crime after the survivor's father slept off under the influence of alcohol.
Later, the villagers rescued the minor girl after hearing her screams. The family members lodged a complaint with police acting on which a special team led by SP Anirudha Singh rushed to the spot and started investigation.
"We have registered a case under section 376 and other sections of IPC. Accused Surendra Nayak has been detained and is being interrogated. Medical examinations of both the survivor and the accused will be held," Baripada SDPO, Abhimanyu Nayak said.
The girl, Madhumita Pani of Ishanpur village under Chalunigan panchayat of Balasore district, is suffering from speech impairment and left her studies after Class IX. Madhumita's father Upendra Pani is a daily wage labourer.
"I live with my parents, two brothers and grandmother. We are extremely poor and even struggle to arrange food for our survival," wrote Madhumita in her letter.
Narrating her plight, she wrote that her house is in a deplorable condition and water enters her house whenever it rains.
"As I am divyang, I am like a burden on my mother and father," she rued.
Madumita further alleged despite repeated requests to the district administration to grant her aid to build a house, her appeals fell on deaf ears.
"The people of Odisha believe that those who do not have any support, CM Naveen Patnaik is always for them. You are my last hope and therefore I request you to grant me a house," wrote Madhumita in her letter to the CM.
Madhumita's father, Upendra Pani said, "We live in a kutcha house and the roof starts leaking with little rain. Though I have earlier informed the local MLA and Sarpanch to help me get a house under the government's scheme but no steps have been taken in this regard yet. With no alternative, my daughter wrote the letter to the CM."
On the other hand, the sarpanch of Chalunigan panchayat, Arun Mallick said, "They (Madhumita's family) have not been included in Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) list. Once the names are registered, we do not have any problem to help them."
(Edited By Ramakant Biswas)
https://youtu.be/ssOgwd_pecs
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