Woman constable spins big web of good deeds

“When I come to know about the problem of a poor person in Bhilai, Raipur or nearby, I visit the person when possible, check the facts and only then post about it on Facebook,” said Tandi, who lives in a rented house in Durg with her family. “Till now, I have helped about 25 deprived people pay their hospital bills. I never count how many people I help by raising money through Facebook, but it must be in hundreds.”

Autorickshaw driver Dinesh Pratap Singh, a Bhilai resident, is among those whose lives have been touched by Tandi’s social media initiative. “My 13 year-old daughter was suffering from cancer, but doctors in Bhilai were not able to diagnose it. I went to Raipur and admitted her to a private hospital. I came to know of Smita Tandi. She came to my house and raised money for me through Facebook. I managed to take my daughter to Delhi. Her condition is better now,” he said.

Tandi’s formidable Facebook presence caught the eye of senior police officers in Chhattisgarh and she got her present posting: the social media complaint cell of Bhilai women’s helpline.

Amresh Mishra, superintendent of police, Durg, said, “She is very tech-savvy and highly motivated. We assigned her a job suitable for her skills. We need more constables like her in our department. I don’t know about her followers on Facebook, but I am aware she is very active on the social sites.”

Tandi, who plays volleyball for the state team, said many people from across the country approach her to help through Facebook posts. “I investigate the information and post if they are genuine.”