Father’s Day: A Son’s Ever-Growing Green Tribute In Odisha’s Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal: There could not have been a more fitting tribute to his father ahead of Father’s Day on Sunday. Sanjeev Abhilash, a mechanical engineer, fulfilled his wish to build a park-cum-playground for the children of his native village Sarakhia, about 5 km from the Dhenkanal. The park was opened on June 8.

Jayant Mishra, a former officer of the State Bank of India (SBI), succumbed to COVID last year before he could translate this wish of his into a reality. His 35-year-old son took it on himself to see that it saw the light of the day. “It was the dream of my father to have an amusement park-cum-playground in our native village on our own land. We often discussed it. After his death last year, I made up my mind to build the park at the same place. Nothing in this world can bring back my father, but this park to keep his memory alive,” Sanjeev told Hindustan Times.

He began working on it in February this, building grass lawns, paving walkways and installing wooden benches, water fountain, swings, see-saw and slides. Bright electric lights were put up to allow people to stroll in the park during evening hours. He has even built a selfie point to attract youngsters, besides a statue of his father in one corner of the park, named ‘Jayant Udyan’.

Sanjeev also has plans to expand the park over 2 acres once he gets the necessary land for it. “Around 15,000 flowering and fruit-bearing trees will be planted inside the park so that there is enough shade. A boating arena is also in the offing,” he added.