Dedicated Teacher\'s Mission to Bring Education to Odisha\'s Tribal Heartlands

Bhubaneshwar: Hailing from a poor family of freedom fighters who were part of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauz), Radhashyam Panda, a President Award-winning teacher who spent most part of his life amidst various tribal groups in Odisha’s under-developed Gajapati district, initially dreamt of becoming soldier to serve the country. However, his dream changed during his school days when some teachers decoded his inner soul that always longed for uplifting the poor and downtrodden by giving them the opportunity for education.

Inspired by his teachers, some of whom had taken teaching as a mission rather than a profession; Radhashyam, son of Somanath Panda of Kalimeghi village under Kodala police limits in Ganjam district, made up his mind to light the lamp of learning in the tribal pockets of the state. After completing his masters in Odia from Berhampur University and law from Indira Gandhi National Open University, he entered into state education service on November 24, 1983.

Radhashyam’s missionary journey started from the very day he landed in Gajapati district and joined Sindiba Primary School at Panigonda under Mohana block.

“When I landed at Panigonda, I was stunned to see that there existed a different world. It was a place with many tribal sects who didn’t show much interest in studies as they loved to spend time in nature. Moving around in forests and scaling hills is what they love much. It was a tough task to convince the Kondh, Saura and Santhal tribals to send their children to schools. In fact, I literally had to do a different kind of penance to get the children enrolled in the school. I had to learn their languages, culture and dine with them to strike a genuine emotional chord,” says the teacher who retired after 37 years of service.

Assisted by three foresters and a nurse of the local primary health centre who were already familiar faces in that locality, Radhashyam managed to get a good number of students who later came out with flying colours.

“I felt pretty satisfied when I saw many of the tribal students grasping all the subjects, including English and mathematics, very well and excelling in examinations. A lot of students have got into various government services. Quite a good number of students have also joined India's defence forces,” adds the teacher who has also won a number of awards from the state government.

Radhashyam retired from his service in February 2020. However, he has not developed any fatigue and continues to follow his mission with equal zeal and passion. His obsession to mingle with tribal and dalit children and empower them with education remains as strong as before. Even today, he very often retreats to the underdeveloped tribal pockets of Gajapati and Ganjam districts only to spread the message of education.