Memoir of Sunari Sikuan, a village in Khariar block of Nuapada district.
IN ANNYATHA MULYAHEENA
(Otherwise worthless)
Prologue- So far I wrote about my childhood memoir not in a
chronological order but as flashes that touched me. I felt these are otherwise
worthless events in my life. I didn’t plan to write my adult memoir with the
same title as I never felt I am living a worthless life as a state government
servant in Odisha Medical Services in periphery cadre. I am not a corrupt and
capable man to design my posting. But by grace of God where ever I worked I
loved to do my work and more importantly people loved me. I worked in Nuapada
district three months before its formation out of undivided Kalahandi district
in 1993 first of April, 13 months at Budhikomna and about six years at Raj
Khariar, the head quarter of one of the important princely state of pre
independent Odisha ruled by the Singhdeos. This is a small but beautiful NAC
and block headquarter of surrounding villages as if it is in the center. Almost
at its western periphery is a moderate size village ‘Sunari Sikuan’ that
literarily means where goldsmiths reside happily.
One gentleman Mr Pradip Kumar Baitharu was a good leader and
Sarpanch of Sunari Sikuan grampanchayat. He had a habit of raising his village
issues at different forums. That is a distant village from Khariar on the road
to another block head quarter Sinapali famous for gems stone.
I went there on 11th December 1994 to do a health
camp in ADAPT scheme that was still continuing remembered as Rajiv Gandhi’s
Kalahandi development scheme. The date is remembered for two reasons as I had
planned to go to Raipur to purchase my highly needed first bike on 12th
December which is an important day in the calendar for me. The camp was
finished in time and we were about to return when Mr Baitharu raised an issue
of creating a Sub center where health workers are posted. I supported his view
and told him that I am a small man and the sub center creation was a govt level
decision. Political pressure and commitment was required, and the memorandum
should be placed at proper forum. By mistake! He felt hurt as my version had
another meaning that I am telling him a weak politician. He executed his capability
immediately and gheraoed my vehicle.
I told my Raipur plan that was of no effect to him. I told
him to send the memorandum to higher authority with no result. I requested him
to send the message that they are blocking the vehicle. He was adamant that let
them come automatically not getting us in time. Our team had not taken lunch were
hungry. They supplied blasted rice (mudhi) and assured that they are going to
cook our lunch. They were friendly. Their whole purpose was to make their
demand loud enough to be heard by the authority. We were hungry and enjoyed the
snacks but denied to take lunch if they are preparing.
We had nothing to do other than passing time in boredom. On
that road a government homeopath, Dr Banambara Parida could note our condition
as he was moving on towards Gandabahali his work place on the way to Sinapali.
He came to us and told that if he returned back the mob might be suspicious for
which it was better to go to Sinapali Police station to do a VHF message to
Sukinda (mobile phone facility did not arrive till that period). This worked
and after about two hours a team of police with our best possible Medical
Officer In Charge very senior, Dr Ambarish Pradhan arrived. He was unusually
sober on that day. Accepted the memorandum and morally supported their demand,
assured to ensure a higher level discussion. I felt the mob also were too bored
by that time and pretended that they believe something good would happen!
We returned thanking for their hospitality and my bike
proposal next day was cancelled.
Unpredictable things happen and many a time one invites it
like I did on that day.
The village is remembered for a second event
too that is relevant to my professional philosophy.
I was with our Medical Officer Dr Ambarish Pradhan
who went for inspection of health activities and I did a mobile health camp. We
were planning our lunch there that was a simple vegetarian meal not of much
taxing to the people who arranged the camp. Rice, dal and a curry was on menu.
On the same day Khariar police was investigating a petty
crime in the village, a good feast was arranged for them and it was a simple
guess to know who arranged the feast and what was on menu.
Police medical relation usually remained very good and the
police party was always dealt with us in a manner as if it was their duty to
see our comfort. So they for courtesy sake invited our party to their lunch.
It was a small thing but with obvious discomfort as we were
unexpected and not solicited by the original hosts. So somehow we politely
denied joining. It was not to the comfort of the police team too.
My officer asked my
opinion on the issue.
Sir! The society divides the government servants into two
categories, the ruler group and the servant group. The police department, the
revenue department, forest department, the administrative people are considered
rulers where as employees related to health, agriculture, veterinary, postal,
education and similar category are considered as servants like barbers and
laundry workers.
That I never meant to say some department was good or bad. I
just told people’s perception. They did a grand feast for police out of fear
and a small one for us out of love.
This statement was nothing to do with our or their
degradation. When the society degrades people of all departments degrade in
equal scale. Being a teacher never makes a person honest or being a contractor
never makes a man dishonest. Reverse may be true, varies from person to person.
I added, but sir, we have a special love for the hair dresser
or the dhobi. So with all hackling and consumer cases too people keep us in
this special category of people with love. I was very comfortable to analyze in
this way which after two decades is still valid for me. It is a blessing to be
a health professional where you are expected to be a demigod and that is the
biggest problem too.
(We had excellent rapport with the police and I
beg excuse as I feel this article mention the other department as beneficiaries
of public expenditure.)
So as a doctor one is
treated as a more qualified servant only. One should accept it. To some it is
difficult of course.
That is
not all about the village. This article is dedicated to Mr Baitharu who must be
of my age.
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