Volunteers pour in to make a difference in Puri

BHUBANESWAR: Mohua Moharana, 57, took voluntary retirement from a life insurance company before becoming a volunteer. Today, she is among almost 10,000 volunteers in Puri who will help tourists and pilgrims during Rath Yatra.
"This is a very noble job," she said. "Volunteering is a way to self discovery. It gives immense satisfaction to be able to help pilgrims coming from so many places for the Lord's darshan," Moharana, a volunteer with NGO Bakul, said.
This year, the number of volunteers has broken all previous Rath Yatra records. Sources said the average number of volunteers at the event in the preceeding years has been between 3,000 and 4,000. Some said the number could cross 10,000 if some more NGOs join in at the last moment.
The state government has deployed about 5,000 volunteers in the town. Utkal Bipanna Samiti, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh wing has sent 2,200 volunteers, well equipped to address any problems the tourists might face during the festival. They have also sent four ambulances and stretchers for the event. National Service Scheme (NSS) scouts and guides would also be present in Puri during the festival. Besides, many NGOs have sent their volunteers to the event.
While a number of these workers are students or fresh pass outs, a few of them, like Mohua, are aged above 55.
"We have a huge challenge ahead of us. The government has taken a large number of steps to ensure things are in place. It will be our job to support them and do our bit," Sanghamitra Sahu, 21, who has completed her honours in zoology this year, said.
Another volunteer Vishant Patnaik, 25, said, "The preparation this year is much better than previous years. It feels good to be a part of such a grand festival. Hopefully we will make a difference."
Temporary accommodation such as tents have been set up where the volunteers would put up during the festival. The state government has set up a separate tent for the 1,000-odd female volunteers, sources said.
"These people have a very challenging time ahead. Volunteering is a selfless form of service to people. But the sad part is there is very little recognition for them," said Sujit Mohapatra, founder of NGO Bakul in Bhubaneswar.
"They are working like our partners. This time, the number of volunteers has by far exceeded previous records. Their efforts must be appreciated," Soumendra Priyadarshi, officer on special duty for the Rath Yatra, told TOI.
Among other issues, the volunteers would be designated to look after sanitation, help children in case they are separated from their parents during the rush, stop open defecation, help in traffic management, take care of food and water distribution and provide first aid.
"Volunteering is the noblest form of hospitality. We have been assigned work but these volunteers do not expect anything in return but work relentlessly to assist people. They deserve a lot of credit," Manish Agrawal, executive officer, Puri Municipality, told TOI.