Gajapati district

They received no support to come back, nor did they have any money. Once the lockdown ends, many may not go back. The fear of being left alone to fend for themselves in a distant land has scarred them.

The Garadama panchayat and its people had seen a lot of violence by the Naxals and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). They had also seen extreme poverty. But beyond all this, they had seen the helpless attitude of the administration and the corruption of the politicians — as a result of which no development took place in their area despite funds being sanctioned by the Centre.

Five panchayats in Gajapati district of Odisha overcame all hurdles to finally get declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). Now, the aim is to make all 119 panchayats in the district ODF by 2016. Read how the administrators, volunteers and villagers themselves are coming together to make this happen.