Odisha: Youths help sanitise houses of patients

BALANGIR: At a time when people are fearing treading outdoors, a group of youths from Titilagarh have volunteered to sanitise the houses of those infected by Covid-19 free of cost. The work was started by Narasingha Singh (35) and his friend Prahallad Majhi a year ago, after Narasingha failed to convince the district administration to sanitise the house of a friend, whose father succumbed to the dreaded virus.
They started off with the help of one agricultural sprayer and a bottle of sodium hypochloride solution. His mother, wife and two children appreciated his social work and assisted him in need. More friends joined in and this team of six now sanitises 10 to 15 houses in the town every day, apart from attending to their professional duties.
“We get more than 20 phone calls every day from Titilagarh, Kantabanji and adjacent areas. Our team works 7 am to 12 noon and then again from late afternoon to 7 pm,” Narasingha said. Prahallad said the team has sanitised more than 500 houses. An amount of nearly four lakhs had been spent to buy sprayers and sanitizing solution. They also have a few oxygen cylinders for needy patients.
“When we arrive at the houses of the infected patients, they get emotional and thank us for helping them at a time when nobody even comes near them. Their smile is our reward,” said Prahallad.
Narasingha and his team have rented a house to store eight sprayers, sanitizing solution and safety kits. They carry all equipment and materials on scooters to houses.