112-year-old serves water to travellers

Odisha man helping passersby in summer for several decades

In his own words, he is just a 112-year-old “boy” and he still has miles to go to serve people. Chandan Kumar Nayak of Dakbhata village in Rayagada district has never felt tired in serving the people.

For over 100 years, he has been pursuing in summer a mission to serve drinking water by organising Jalachhatra (free drinking water distribution) and food to passersby who walk miles in the jungle road to reach their destination.

Chandan who still works as an active farmer says serving food and water to passersby, most of whom are poor tribals living in hilly terrains and forested villages, reduces their pain and provides them energy for their journey.

“This is a hilly and forested region. Normally, people live on hilltop settlements and villages located on the borders of forests. Since, there were no modern means of communication until a few years ago; people would walk miles. I was once pained to see the arduous journey of some of the travelers walking on the road nearby our village. Since they would feel thirsty and hungry while walking for hours under the hot sun, my friends and I started serving them food and water. This activity started when I was below 10 years of age. Gradually, it became a part of my regular activity in the summer and I will continue it till my last breath,” says Chandan.

Chandan’s philanthropic activity helped him evolve as a leader and he was very often elected as ward member of the village and worked with many Sarapanches and MLAs.

In 2005, former panchayat samiti member Ramachandra Behera who helped Chandan to get his old age pension says the latter still loves to lead an independent life.

“Chandan cooks for himself. He walks four kilometers to Ambadola block office to get his pension. Self-respect is what he values most in his life,” says Ramachandra.