Odisha’s guardian angel for the homeless
Setting a profound example of empathy and social responsibility, Bipin Bihari Panda has been rescuing and rehabilitating mentally ill and destitute people from the streets for nine years.
People often encounter faces aimlessly wandering the streets — not driven by wanderlust, but due to dire circumstances or mental challenges. Many turn a blind eye towards those homeless people rather than offering a helping hand.
However, Bipin Bihari Panda from Sambalpur in Odisha keeps an eye out for these forgotten souls. He has dedicated nine years to the care and rehabilitation of homeless people in Odisha, earning recognition across the region. With over 500 successful rescues and rehabilitations, he tirelessly alleviates suffering with love. He is also actively involved in fundraising for children afflicted with tumours.
It all began in 2015 when Panda, an employee at Hindalco Pvt Ltd, encountered a boy, clad in tattered clothes, drinking water from a drain. He promptly admitted the boy to Cuttack Medical Hospital, where, with the aid of Pravas Acharya, then editor of the local daily Samaja, he arranged a heart-warming reunion with his family after 14 years.
This transformative experience ignited Panda’s awareness of the plight of mentally ill vagrants, giving rise to his commitment to their cause.
“That event changed something within me, and I came to realise the different kinds of situations people like him face on the streets. I saw a meaning in where destiny has brought me,” he said.
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Panda’s journey was fraught with challenges. Often, when rescuing abandoned women, he and his team faced suspicion and got mistaken for kidnappers. Realising the need for formal recognition, he established Parichaya, an organisation that he began operating from his own home, with a well-established network of NGOs and ASHA centres across Odisha.
From identification to rehabilitation, including reuniting individuals with their families, Panda navigates the intricate process with compassion and diligence.
“The process begins with identifying issues highlighted in various newspapers I read daily or receiving calls from anonymous people concerned about humanitarian matters. I then draft a formal application to the station house officer of the nearest police station, seeking permission for rescue operations,” he said.
He then proceeds with his team to the specified location to bring the person to the hospital.
“There, we provide haircuts, offer fruits and new clothes, and facilitate their transition to NGOs like Charity of Bhubaneswar and Kuluthkani Missionary, aiming to improve their future prospects,” Panda explained.
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His efforts have yielded numerous success stories. From rescuing and reuniting Radhakanti Bari, missing for 15 years, with her family in Nuapada district, to uniting a father from Ranchi with his runaway daughter, Bipin’s work transcends boundaries. Witnessing people suffer on the streets, he expended his savings selflessly, fulfilling every needy person’s wish, despite familial opposition.
“You know what Gandhiji faced when he dedicated himself to social work? His family got left behind. Sometimes, I feel the same way. It pains my heart to see people lying on the roads, scavenging from dustbins, and drinking contaminated water,” Panda said.
His relentless dedication garnered recognition from Samarth Odisha, International Human Rights Commission, and Sambalpur University. As he prepares to retire from Hindalco in two years, Panda’s commitment to social work remains undeterred in a society where the vulnerable are often mistreated and marginalised.
His compassion not only shields the downtrodden from mistreatment but also restores their faith in humanity. Through his efforts, he sets a benchmark for societal inclusivity and kindness, reaffirming that all are equal and deserving of dignity and respect.
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The lead image at the top shows the organisation led by Bipin Bihari Panda providing clothes, haircuts and medical treatment to the street dwellers (Photo courtesy Parichaya)
Devashish Biswal is a graduate of English journalism. His deep interest lies in covering human interest stories based on gender, tribal life, education, and culture. He is also an aspiring Radio Jockey and a musician.
