How often do you take a day off for a much-needed respite from work? Once a month? Once in three months? Once a year? What if we told you that a teacher in Odisha hasn’t missed a single day of work since she started teaching in 2008? Yes, it’s true.
49-year-old Binodini Samal works at Rathiapal Primary School. Despite the fact that she has to cross the Sapua river every day to reach it, her dedication towards her students has not faltered. During monsoons, the water levels rise and reach up to her neck but she bravely wades through.
Teacher Smt. #Binodin_Samal crossing the flowing water of a canal to reach school. Hats up 2 her👍 She should be honored !!
And also govt must think about why she is taking this way 2 go school. @districtadmndkl #Odapada #Kottama @CMO_Odisha please encourage our teachers #HINDOL pic.twitter.com/V9RzHW7XuG— Damodar Pradhan 👤 (@pradhan_damodar) September 8, 2019
After her pictures went viral on social media, the authorities finally took note of her hard work and the lack of infrastructure in the area. Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister of Steel Dharmendra Pradhan applauded her commitment on Twitter. The district administration has promised that a bridge will be built for easy access.
News18 quoted local MLA Simarani Nayak (Hindol Assembly constituency) saying, “I feel sorry for this situation. I salute the teacher for her dedication. When I was elected in 2014, the people had apprised me of the need for a bridge there. It will be constructed soon, and there won’t be such a problem during the monsoon next year.”
BRAVO! Binodini Samal, a school teacher of Odapada in #Dhenkanal braves neck-deep flood water to reach her school. Despite all odds, she has never missed a single class over the last 10 years & this inspirational journey has now earned her accolades from all quarters #Odisha pic.twitter.com/9w5Clc49Dz
— OTV (@otvnews) September 12, 2019
She revealed that funds to the tune of Rs. 2 crores were allocated for the construction of the bridge in March last year.
“But work could not begin last year as the rainy season arrived and then the polls approached. I have been trying for the past three years to get the bridge built. Soil testing has been conducted and the required sanctions have also been made for the bridge that will be built under the Biju Setu Yojana. A contractor will soon start work on it.”
Furthermore, the District Education Officer (DEO) Suddhananda Parida has announced that Binodini ma’am will be felicitated for her dedication at a function. We hope that these promises are fulfilled so that both teachers and students can cross the Sapua river safely in the future.