Like Dashrath Manjhi of Bihar, widely known as the “Mountain Man”, Padmashree Daitari Naik of Talabaitarani village of Gonasika GP under Banshapal Block in Keonjhar District popularly known as “Canal Man of Odisha” who once struck news headlines by dint of his superhumanly feat, has again adorned newspaper pages recently, but this time for a different cause.
Despite bagging coveted National award like Padamshree, Daitari had to struggle hard to eke out a living for his family. Along with his wife, he used to prepare dried mango juice, plates by sewing together Sal leaves and later selling those along with forest produces, they collected in nearby market to sustain themselves.
According to a Odia Daily Newspaper (Samaja, dated 24th June, 2019 ) sources, the Padmashree Awardee has badly been striving to make both ends meet in languishing under acute financial scarcity. The desperate Naik had no option, but to live on termites which he used to collect from the termite mounds as well as egg of tree-ants in the vicinity of his habitat.
On reading such agonizing tale of Daitari, renowned Philanthropist and Kandhamal MP Dr. Achyuta Samanta, became dismayed for Daitari whose ordeal touched the heart of Dr. Samanta. On 30th June, 2019(Sunday) Daitari met Dr. Achyuta Samanta at KISS. Dr Samanta immediately donated four thousand rupees to Daitari and assured him to provide pension of three thousand rupees every month on behalf of KISS Foundation. Besides Dr. Samanta has requested the Collector and Distract Magistrate of Keonjhar to extend Govt. assistance, whatever it may be to Daitari.
Moreover, on the request of Daitari, Dr. Samanta assured to enroll two of his grandsons in KISS apart from providing a job to another grandson. Commenting on these developments, Daitari, who heaved a sigh of relief said, at last there was somebody, who extended helping hand to him after knowing about his woes from the media. In the context, Daitari expressed his gratitude to Dr. Samanta for such precious and much needed help.