Odisha Tea Seller, Pensioner Donate Savings To Battle COVID-19

Balangir/Paradip: To assist the battle against COVID-19, even ordinary people are stepping forward with their micro-donations in Odisha, which is indeed a noble gesture.

For instance, a tea seller from Balangir has donated his one year’s savings to the Red Cross fund to help those affected by the pandemic.

The tea seller identified as Rupdhar Kumura of Chuadapali village met the District Emergency Officer and handed over a cheque of Rs 20,000 on Monday, according to a report in the New Indian Express.

Rupdhar said, “We all have to do our bit to help humanity recover from this crisis. I did my part by donating whatever I saved last year.”

Rupdhar’s tea business has been hit by the lockdown. Despite that, he came forward to help the deprived people.

Besides the tea vendor, Jagannath Mishra, a resident of Rameswar Nagar in Balangir town, also donated Rs 50,000 to Being Human Foundation. The foundation has been providing cooked food to the less fortunate ones since March 23.

Similarly, a retired employee of the Marine Department of Paradip Port Trust, Pravakar Sahoo has donated Rs 1 lakh from his pension to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).

The 75-year old senior citizen handed over the cheque to the chairman of Paradip Municipality Basant Biswal.