Berhampur: A 23-year-old woman in Maulabhanja Panchayat in Sanakhemundi block of Ganjam district has come up with an innovative way to campaign for her candidature for the upcoming Panchayat polls. The candidate, Rojalini Behera has befriended three stray dogs who accompany her during door-to-door campaigns.
According to Behera, while she does not have the resources for arranging people for a campaign, her idea also supports the COVID-19 guidelines for the polls. Behera has named the three canines – Sweety, Chandramukhi and Odisha Tiger, and the trio has proven to be a good support to the 23-year-old.
Behera is also supported by her father Kalu Charan who believes that his daughter will bring about transformation in the Panchayat if elected as Sarpanch. Behera a nurse by profession has exemplified the human-animal bond of trust.
She feeds and takes care of the animals regularly as family members. The dogs also put on masks when they move about for the campaign. She also demonstrates the use of helmets while driving which can prove life-saving in the event of an accident.
The young woman has worked as a nurse at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar as well as a Government hospital in Sankhemundi. She has closely witnessed the wrath of COVID which claimed thousands of lives over the past two years.
Behera aims at improving roads, water supply and health infrastructure in her panchayat. The people of Maulabhanja have appreciated her move and the connection she has been able to establish with stray animals.
This year, in the run-up to Panchayat polls in Odisha, the candidates have displayed unique strategies to woo voters. Behera’s efforts are certainly one among those.
