Image Courtesy: odishasuntimes

Humanity needs help
Apathy has soared to such an extent that a migrant worker from Odisha district had to breathe his last after being dumped by his employers under a tree while seriously ill and left unattended for more than 12 hours. According to the reports, the deceased — Dambaru Madhi — belonged to Sindabeda village in Malkangiri district of Odisha.  He had moved to Karimnagar in Telangana to work as a labour in a granite mine. The situation took a turn when he fell sick while working.

No mercy for the poor
Though his employer initially admitted him to a local hospital. But, not willing to spend further they sent the patient back to his native in a very critical state. According to one hospital employee, Madhi was admitted to the hospital, but after they told the employer about the expense, in about 2 hours, they took him away. He was en route his  home in an ambulance but the people in the ambulance dumped him under a tree around 2pm near Padmapur Market around —  15 km away from his village. He was unable to walk because the intravenous fluid was still connected to his body. He kept lying under tree unattended by anyone around and waited for death until next morning. No one from the local administration came forward to help him either as it was the occasion of Holi. Later Odisha Government ordered a probe into the matter and announced a small compensation to his kin.

Migrant worker’s woes
Migrant labour issues have always been a matter of concern in Orissa. Over 2 million people migrate out of Odisha in search of work every year. Unequal distribution of lands, deforestation, lack of rainfall does not support good agricultural possibilities in Odisha and that is why more and more people moved to other states to work. Again these workers have to work in miserable conditions with late working hours, inadequate shelter, poor nutrition and sanitation, unclean drinking water. All these lead to severe illnesses among the workers like cholera and viral fever. Also, there are reports of exploitation and tortures among the workers.

The Logical Indian vehemently is appalled by the inhuman act of dumping a patient unattended. We urge everyone to show empathy to people who are battling to stay alive. Let us restore faith in humanity through the act of kindness to all.  We urge the state government to take necessary steps to solve this problem of migrating labours in Odisha.