Bhubaneswar: Nearly a decade after a moment of unimaginable grief made headlines nationwide, Dana Majhi, a humble tribal farmer from Melghara village, returned to the public eye in an evocative episode of the Argus Podcast hosted by Sangram Keshari Sarangi, Editor, Argus Digital.

Back in August 2016, Majhi captured India’s conscience when he carried his wife’s body for more than 12 kilometers, unable to access a hearse from Bhawanipatna hospital. His wife, who was suffering from tuberculosis, allegedly received insufficient medical attention, leaving Majhi to navigate heartbreak alone in an unfamiliar city. Reporters later intervened to arrange partial help, but Majhi ultimately continued his journey across roads and rivers to give her a dignified farewell.

In this newly released podcast episode, driven by thousands of public requests to hear from an “ordinary man with an extraordinary heart,” Dana Majhi shares his life beyond the headlines; his struggles, triumphs, and continued humility.

“I’m still the same,” he says softly. “But yes, I’m proud that someone from our Majhi community; Mohan Charan Majhi, has become the Chief Minister of Odisha.”

Since the tragic event, Majhi’s life has taken a turn. He remarried and has two more daughters, to go with three more daughters from his first wife. His eldest daughter, once by his side during that long sorrowful walk, is now married and has a son. Dana now lives in a modest home, owns a smartphone, and farms his land. Still, he remains rooted in his tribal values, refusing to sell cow’s milk, believing it rightfully belongs to the calves, and reserving his crops for family consumption rather than commerce.

Upon asking "What did they say to you when you went to the collector’s office?"

“The former government’s CDMO gave me 30,000 rupees in cash at the collector’s office and told me not to speak out the truth. Rather, they scripted my words and asked me to say that I had taken my wife through the back gate of the hospital, in front of the media,” said Dana Majhi

He recalls the overwhelming support he received after national media highlighted his ordeal, ₹9 lakh from the Prime Minister of Bahrain, personal encouragement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and aid from journalist families who ensured he could properly perform his wife’s last rites.

When he was interrogated about the new bike he had once bought, Majhi said, ''I don't even know how to ride a bicycle, how would I ride a bike? I bought it under the influence of the locals. My Nephew rides it now. My Nephew rides the bike now, I only took a photo. But yes, I’ve often sat behind him and gone for many rides together."

One part of his story rarely told until now is the pressure from officials, who allegedly forced him to repeat scripted statements under distress; accusations he now rebukes. What stands clear throughout the conversation is Majhi’s unwavering dignity, innocence, and a heart that carried far more than sorrow; it carried love, resilience, and faith.

This Argus Podcast episode doesn’t just reflect on Dana Majhi’s past. It shines a light on his evolving present and enduring spirit. In a world often swept up in celebrity and spectacle, Majhi’s voice reminds us that true humanity lives quietly.

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