The Story of a Humanitarian BDO

The Story of a Humanitarian BDO 

 Dr. Keshab Chandra Mandal 

 

Ghatal, Paschim Medinipur, W.B., India 721212

Homepage/Blog: http://lafungendal.blogspot.in/

Publication: "The Thoughts of an Unknown Indian",

ISBN-13:	978-3-639-71794-5
ISBN-10:	3639717945
EAN:	9783639717945

Direct link to the book on Morebooks-Shop www.moebooks.de

Also available at – Amazon.com

 

Setting up of Inns – The BDO, Tarakeshwar, my old friend, while talking informally on various development issues, he suggested some innovative ideas. He at first proposed to set up some inns beside the roads for common public. A few temporary inns (saraikhanas) can be set up by the road from Sheorafuli to Tarakeshwar. Approximately the distance from Sheorafuli to Tarakeshwar is 35 kilometers. Many pilgrims come to Tarakeshwar to pour water on the Shivalinga during the month of Shravana. They walk throughout the night. Some become ill, while some get tired and wish to take rest. But without proper and safe places, they cannot do so. This prompted him to think the necessity of setting up of inns.

    Earlier also he told me that these kinds of inns can be set up in Kolkata and big cities where many people come from distant places for official and personal works. These saraikhanas can be built either by governments or local governments and might be managed by local youths, clubs or members of Self-help groups.

Setting Up of Community Latrines: Besides, community latrines can be built by local governments, NGOs or individually. These community latrines can be built beside the busy roads, market places, nursing homes, hospitals or road sides. Normally the existing public toilets are not clean and gentle men and women can not use them. If those use and pay toilets are built by governments or local governments or individuals and one person is engaged to collect some token money for using them, the common commuters will be happy to get service. The persons engaged in these places must keep the toilets neat and clean regularly. Through the building of community latrines, the unemployment problem can be reduced in this industry-starved state.

Disaster Management – He also suggested for engaging at least four civic police in every block or police station to provide yeomen’s service to the ill or injured persons (by accident or riot or otherwise hurt). The Police Stations, Blocks or Hospitals should have emergency ambulance arrangements. The civic police will always be at hand as and when called for. Mr. Halder, the BDO, told me a story in this regard, which I like to share with you,  “……While one day he was travelling from Tarakeshwar to Chinsurah for official duty, a motorist was fatally injured by the hit of a truck. The truck sped away, but the man laid beside the road and was bleeding profusely, and there was none to help him. Suddenly some farmers from nearby field thronged around him and they tried to stop vehicles, but nobody stopped. In the meantime he was passing through the road. He saw this and after going ahead about 50 meters, he told his driver to stop his vehicle and came back to the spot. He then stopped a matador and told him to take the man to the hospital. When the matador-driver refused to comply in the pretext of police harassment, he disclosed his identity and ensured him that no harm will take place. He called the Police station and a jeep came with some police personnel. He then instructed them to take care of the injured man and not to harass the matador driver. After they left for hospital, he also started towards his destination.” This prompted him to suggest for civic police to be posted either in Block or Police Station for providing emergency services round the clock.

   Government would be benefited from the rent, but the rent should be reasonable. The rooms can be hired or booked advance also. The rooms might be of several types. Sometimes, the government officials can also stay there, as they frequently visit district towns or sub divisions for official works.  And if they get late, they might put up there. This will reduce government’s expenditure and raise income through service. Besides, employment generation can also be done.

  Secondly, through the community latrines, the employment of youths can be ensured, public’s necessity can be solved, and proper hygiene of locality can be maintained.