Bhanjanagar: At a time when people do not even hesitate to kill their siblings and parents for silly reasons, the story of a man who sacrifices everything to provide a better life for his disabled neighbour is inspiring.
Sanyasi Patra (30) is a physically challenged man, unable to address the basic needs of his day-to-day life without external assistance. Patra’s only hope was his mother Laxmi Patra, but her unexpected death changed his life.
With not much help coming from the administration, Sanyasi is left starving with no ration card and monthly assistance.
However, his neighbour Sibaram Patra, has come for Patra’s help ever since the death of the latter’s mother.
Among all other chores, which Sibaram addresses, helping the disabled man to defecate is an arduous task.
“The act is dismissed and condemned by many as nasty. But I am a human being and such a tragedy can hit anyone. So what if he is not related to me by blood, humanity comes first for me,” said Sibaram.
Sibaram keeps Sanyasi clean, bathes him, feeds him and ensures that the disabled man sleeps peacefully.
Since his mother’s death Sanaysi has even been deprived of 10 kg rice as assistance from the district administration.
“The officials ask us to bring Sanyasi to the rice distribution centre to avail the 10 kg quota. This is not possible in his case,” said Namita Behera, a native of Somnathpalli. The disabled man is in dire need of government’s assistance for survival, she added.