Bhubaneswar : In a remarkable act of compassion and social responsibility, a migrant worker from Odisha’s Bhadrak district has donated his ancestral land and a large portion of his savings to build a cremation ground for his village, ending a decades-old hardship faced by residents.
Gaurang Jena, a resident of Paribindha Rasulpur village under Kedarpur panchayat, has emerged as a local hero after donating 16 decimals of family land for the long-awaited crematorium project. The village, like several surrounding habitations, had no designated place for last rites, forcing families to cremate their dead in open grazing fields or behind houses.
Villagers say the idea took root after an incident that deeply disturbed Gaurang. He reportedly saw a stray dog carrying a partially burnt human hand from an improperly cremated body — a sight that haunted him and strengthened his resolve to ensure dignity in death for his community.
Despite belonging to a poor family and earning his livelihood as a migrant labourer outside Odisha, Gaurang decided to act where authorities had failed for generations.
The proposed cremation ground is estimated to cost around Rs 15 lakh. Along with donating land, Gaurang has pledged much of his hard-earned income for the project. Inspired by his gesture, villagers have also begun contributing financially.
The announcement sparked celebrations in the village, with women blowing conch shells and performing traditional ululations to mark what residents described as a historic moment.
Once completed, the crematorium is expected to serve several nearby villages, including Sahaspur, Harishankarpur, Kedarpur, Jitanaga, Balibili and Sherapur.
“There was no cremation facility in the entire panchayat. Governments changed, elections were held, leaders came and went, but nobody took such a bold step. We are deeply grateful to him,” said local resident Dr Abhimanyu Jena.
“For many in the region, Gaurang’s sacrifice is more than charity — it is a lesson in humanity and dignity,” Hemanta Padhi, a social worker, said.
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