Bargarh, Jul 5: In a heartwarming blend of humility and purpose, Padma Shri awardee and celebrated Sambalpuri poet Haldhar Nag was seen once again selling ghugni — Odisha’s beloved street delicacy — outside the Haladhar Museum in his native village Ghens during the Bahuda Yatra festivities.

Unlike previous years, where his ghugni sale was aimed at managing personal financial needs, this year’s initiative carries a far greater mission. Haldhar Nag has pledged that the earnings will fully support his tribal school, located near Kudopali village on the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.

The school, a dream project of Nag, caters to children from marginalized communities including Adivasi, Dalit, Harijan, and socially disadvantaged groups. His unwavering commitment to inclusive education has made him a beacon of hope across rural Odisha.

Nag revealed that whatever he earns — from books, events, or street sales like ghugni — is dedicated toward maintaining the school’s infrastructure and resources.

His presence behind the food stall during Rath Yatra drew large crowds — not just for the savoury treat, but for the symbolic power of service and sacrifice it represented. Supporters, locals, and devotees gathered with admiration, reinforcing the essence of Bahuda Yatra as a return to humility, compassion, and community upliftment.

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