Malkangiri: Once a marathon runner, tribal youth Dibana Bugalat now pedals 15 km daily to reach the Amazon office at Malkangiri town from his native Chidipalli village.
Bugalat is among the hundreds of youth who are struggling to meet their family’s basic needs while keeping alive the hopes of returning to the track.
The 18-year-old had tasted success in marathon in Odisha as well as neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and was undergoing training at a Sports Hostel in the district.
But, the pandemic struck a blow changing his course, albeit temporarily, says Bugalat who is hopeful of resuming the sport after things normalise.
“I had to return home after the hostel was closed due to the pandemic. As we have financial constraints and my parents have no work, I decided to take up the job of a delivery boy,” Bugalat told OdishaBytes.
Cycling with a heavy bag of parcels on his back, Bugalat is a common sight on the streets of the town and has earned a name for himself in the delivery service within a short span of time.
“I had earlier seen him on social media and recognised Bugalat when he came to deliver my order. Though he is a very talented boy, he has to do such work. I request the district administration to come forward and help him polish his talent,” said Biswajit Sarkar, a resident of Malkangiri town.
The UG Second year student of Malkangiri College also plays Kabaddi, Kho Kho and football with equal passion and hopes to stay in the race once the pandemic comes to an end.
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