Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: Odisha government on Saturday approved a house under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (R) to Sibani Mandal, an ASHA worker of Kendrapara district, for her commendable work during the Cyclone Dana.

Rajnagar BDO today visited Khasamunda village and handed over the work order of the PMAY house to the ASHA worker.

On Friday, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi spoke to ASHA worker Sibani Mandal and thanked her for displaying “heroics and humanity” efforts during the Cyclone Dana.

The Chief Minister also assured the ASHA worker a pucca (concrete) house under government scheme for her exceptional commitment to the needy people during the calamities.

During the telephonic conversation with Sibani, Chief Minister Majhi also came to know that she had piggybacked seven elderly persons and two pregnant women to the cyclone shelters before the cyclone.

"The government and I are personally very pleased with your efforts. May Lord Jagannath always keep you fine and you continue to help everyone during the time of difficulty," said CM Majhi.

CM Majhi also directed the Block Development Officer (BDO), Rajnagar to immediately make arrangements to provide Sibani with a house and other necessary amenities.

Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker Sibani, posted with Rajnagar Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kendrapara district has taken the responsibility to safely shift residents of Khasamunda village to the nearby cyclone shelter. She has performed her duty efficiently.

Hours before the cyclone’s landfall, Khasamunda’s narrow, unpaved roads had already transformed into muddy, treacherous paths. Despite this, Sibani transported as many as seven villagers, carried on her back one by one, across the kilometer-long stretch, enduring the heavy rains and wind.

An elderly woman in the village was suffering from paralysis and was not able to go to the cyclone shelter before cyclone Dana hit the Odisha coast.

Sibani carried the paralysed elderly woman on her shoulder to the cyclone shelter around 1.5 km away from the latter's residence.

Also Read: Cyclone Dana: ASHA Worker In Odisha Carries Elderly Woman On Her Back To Cyclone Shelter, Hailed

Sibani was also praised by Revenue and Disaster Minister Suresh Pujari, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling and others.

"We witnessed the commendable efforts of Sibani Didi during the massive evacuation process. Piggybacking seven persons to the relief centre is a reflection of Odia Asmita and the spirit of an Odia," said Minister Pujari on Friday.

Minister Mahaling also praised Sibani for her efforts in carrying several elderly persons on her shoulder from vulnerable places to the nearby cyclone shelters and relief centres in Kendrapara district on Thursday.

As per reports, more than six lakh persons were shifted from their homes in low-lying and vulnerable places before the severe cyclonic storm hit the Odisha coast on Thursday midnight.

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