Jamtikra: A school teacher by profession, Dharmaraj Pradhan of Jhiliminda village under Attabira block in Bargarh district has turned a source of inspiration for many people.
Dharmaraj has many awards to his credit. He won the state government’s Prakruti Bandhu Award-2015, Biju Patnaik Wildlife Conservation Award-2017, Best State Teacher Award-2015 and Green Warrior Award in 2016.
He was also felicitated by the State Forest and Environment Department for his continuous endeavour towards protecting the ancient cultures and traditions of Odisha. Many of his articles and literary works on environment and ecology have been published in various magazines.
He has been instrumental in organising many workshops and training camps on ‘Ideal consumer behaviour’, ‘Recycle of household solid wastes’, ‘Conservation of nature, ecology’ and ‘Protection of the ancient cultures and traditions’ in different schools and colleges of Attabira.
Dharmaraj has conducted many programmes on hand washing and cleanliness, road safety and traffic rules, planting trees in different village schools, Swachh Bharat Mission, sanitation and health awareness in association with other non-governmental organisations and received wide appreciation and admiration from all sections of the society.
Throughout his life, since childhood days, Dharmaraj has attempted to include the local villagers, youths and school children in his drive to protect the environment and ecology. He has been striving to protect and preserve the ancient monuments and temples in and around his locality, working to emancipate the poor and downtrodden of the society from poverty, working against atrocities on women and domestic abuse and making women financially self-sufficient through several self-help groups (SHGs).
It is well known that migratory birds come to Jagannath Sagar at Jhiliminda for breeding during the winter season. For the last four years, he has been working for the protection of these avian guests, and his effort is a big success.
Speaking about his dreams, Dharmaraj said: “I will appeal to all my fellowmen to plant at least one tree every year, in order to protect our environment. I also dream of distributing one lakh saplings to the people of my locality for the betterment of ecology”.
Worthy to note, he has a Master’s degree in education, Master’s degree in science (maths) and Master’s degree in arts (Odia). He has been working as a subject teacher of science in Jagannath High School at Jhiliminda since 1989.
PNN