Tribal Odisha’s reality: Man uses ‘cooking pot’ to carry daughter across flooded river sans bridge

A haunting image of development failure emerged from Salaguda panchayat under Phiringia block in Kandhamal district on Sunday. In a desperate and dangerous move, a man was seen ferrying his young daughter across a flooded river on a large aluminium degchie (utensil), highlighting the long-standing negligence toward rural infrastructure.

Also Read: Braving flood water, Anganwadi worker crosses river to reach center in Keonjhar

According to sources, the absence of a concrete road or a bridge between these villages means residents are often cut off from the outside world for days during heavy rains. In emergencies — medical, educational, or otherwise — villagers either wade through dangerous waters or remain stranded.

The man, Bishnu Mallik from Dumburiguda village, had no choice but to carry his daughter on a degchie across the swelling Bagha River, as there is no bridge connecting Dumburiguda to Salaguda. Despite strong currents, and with the help of fellow villagers, he managed to cross the river — a daily risk many locals are forced to take during the monsoon.

Repeated petitions to the district administration have failed to yield results.

With this year’s monsoon still underway, the Dumburiguda villagers continue to face life-threatening challenges just to reach the basic services, a stark reminder of development’s unfinished promises in tribal Odisha.

However, no comments were received from the local administration in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier in another incident and in an inspiring display of dedication, an Anganwadi worker from Banspal block in Keonjhar district had become the talk of the town after risking her life to discharge her duty on July 27.

As per reports, Karishma Nayak, the Anganwadi worker from Haladihi village under Kadakala panchayat, had crossed a swollen river to reach her workplace.

Due to continuous rainfall, the Malda River had overflowed, inundating the surrounding areas. Haladihi village, situated across the river, has been cut off for the past seven days due to the absence of a bridge.

With the river water slightly receding, Karishma had set out from her home in Kadakala village and trekked two kilometres before wading through chest-deep water to reach Haladihi.