Nayagarh: Valentine’s Day is the day to spread love. Everyone celebrates it in their own way. While teenagers are celebrating it by going out with friends and families for shopping and movies, youths of Nayagarh have taken up the celebration in a very unique manner.
While people are spent time with their loved ones this Valentine’s Week, student leader Sibaram Mahapatra celebrated it in a unique manner.
Along with his friends, Sibaram, a college was on a statue cleaning drive. The youths toured throughout the town and cleaned all the neglected statues of great leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Pathani Samant, Dasrathi Patnaik and Bhagbat Behera.
What could be nobler than doing something for the society, Mahapatra said when asked about his noble deeds.
Taking time, the friends first assembled in an area. Later, they went from places to places and cleaned all the statues in the town. The youths have been doing this from last two years. They do not return home until all the statues are cleaned.
“It isn’t an easy task. Often people mistake it as a publicity stunt. But, I’m doing it for a noble cause with no superficial intention. We are trying to instill love for the country through our cause. Our message is to spread love and pride for the country like the legends did,” Mahapatra says.
“Valentine’s Day is the time of love and I want to spread love for the country. I want all youths to take out time for the country and the society,” he says.
“We have been doing this since last two years with friends. We try to finish the work by noon and then spend time with our loved ones in the evening. Even our families support us and are happy for us,” the youths said.
Even as the youths have received negative talks, people have also been inspired by their acts and appreciated their efforts. Many have also come forward to help them.
“They are doing a great job. Everyone must follow them. They are celebrating Valentine’s Day in a true sense, i.e. love for the country and the legends who sacrificed their lives for us,” a local said.
PNN