Rashtriya Swabhiman Projects : Orissa Cyclone

Following the devastating cyclone that hit Orissa in 1999, that travelled upto 20 kms inwards, destroying 17,110 km² of crops and 275,000 homes leaving 1.67 million people homeless, Rashtriya Swabhiman, adopted four villages – Ranibandi, Khandiabandh, Akabaraban, Bishnupur – in Jajpur, which was one of the worst affected districts.

The aim was to provide for dwelling houses for tribal families in these villages. The foundation stone for the same was laid by Orissa chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik on 22nd August 2001.

Rashtriya Swabhiman provided 110 houses of 300 ft each having two bedrooms, beds, fans and electricity connection. The construction was completed in 2002 and was inaugurated by former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in May 2003.

The new colony thus created was endowed with a school, a temple and a community centre all connected by concrete roads. Rashtriya Swabhiman also distributed clothes for children, saris for women, dhotis for men, shoes and other useful things to the people in need.

It is no surprise then, that Mr Naveen Patnaik commended this colony as one of the best colonies rebuilt in the district by an NGO.