In a heartening display of compassion amid her official duties, Usha Padhee, the Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development and Commerce & Transport Department, took decisive action to uplift a father and his young son found begging on the streets of Bhubaneswar.
While passing by the Ram Mandir on Sunday, Padhee halted her vehicle upon spotting the duo soliciting alms. Deeply moved by their plight, she personally inquired about their circumstances, learning that the child had been denied education and was forced into begging alongside his father.
Expressing profound concern for the boy’s future, Padhee emphasised that no child should be roaming the streets instead of attending school. She immediately directed officials from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to intervene. A team from the BMC’s rehabilitation wing swiftly arrived at the scene, rescuing the pair and relocating them to a BMC-operated shelter home for the homeless.
At the shelter, the father and son will receive necessary support, including basic amenities and rehabilitation services. Additionally, BMC sources confirmed that steps are being taken to enrol the young child in a nearby school, ensuring he receives regular education and a chance at a brighter future. “Every child deserves to be in a classroom, not on the streets,” Padhee stated, instructing authorities to monitor their progress closely.
This act of empathy has gone viral on social media, with netizens praising Padhee’s proactive approach as a model for other officials. Many have hailed it as a step toward making Bhubaneswar beggar-free, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to address urban poverty and child exploitation.
As the city grapples with increasing instances of street begging, such initiatives underscore the role of administrative leaders in fostering social change.
Padhee’s intervention not only provided immediate relief but also sparked discussions on broader issues like child education and urban rehabilitation programs in Odisha.
