The mantra of Gopabandhu “Let my body mingle in the dust of my motherland and let my countrymen walk across it; and let my flesh and bones fill in the potholes of my country’s self-independence”, always encourages me to work selflessly in this Covid-19 pandemic situation, says Umachanda Baral, a community organizer. For the last couple of years, he has been working in different parts of Malkangiri districts and helping the poor and distressed primitive tribes.

Sudden lockdown declared by the Government owing to the pandemic created fear and anxiety in the minds of innocent tribal women, children and old age people. Umachanda, was the first person who motivated a band of volunteers of CYSD to create mass awareness among the tribal people, especially in Bonda Ghati (the most underdeveloped area of Malkangiri). From 23rd March, 2020 Umachanda also mobilized other volunteers to join his crew and organized awareness campaigns in the communities about use of facemask regularly, practices of frequent hand wash, maintaining social distance, etc. using loud speaker / mike. He covered around 42 villages, distributed survival kits to 150 families and hygiene kits to 120 families.

Both the Block Administration and District Administration were amazed seeing the enthusiasm of Umachanda. To his surprise, the PD-DRDA helped in obtaining a Covid-19 Entry Pass through the BDO, Khairiput and allowed him to continue this novel work in this pandemic. The BDO and PD-DRDA sought the support and cooperation of Umachanda during their relief mission at Bonda Ghati for helping the Bonda people. This mission would not have become successful without Umachanda’s active involvement.

From that day Umachanda never looked back. He contacted CYSD Project staff in Malkanagiri and sought the technical support on how to facilitate job opportunity to the vulnerable families during the Corona pandemic. He was advised by the Livelihood Promotion, Expert to create job demand for the people under MGNREGS work and help them engage in Mo Upakari Bagicha scheme through Odisha Livelihoods Mission.

Till now, Umachanda has facilitated job opportunity for 85 families under MGNREGS and linked 75 families in Nutritional Kitchen Garden (Mo Upakari Bagicha) scheme with the help of Sarapanch of concerned Gram Panchayats.