In a heartwarming display of compassion, Chhanda Rani Panda, a 48-year-old government employee from Bhubaneswar's Khandagiri locality, has become a beacon of hope for the inmates of Gandhi Shanti Niwas, a leprosy colony at Janla. Abandoned by their families and communities after contracting the disease, these women have found a new family in Panda, whom they affectionately call 'Maa'.
'They call me 'Maa' and I love to hear the word coming from them,' says Panda, who has been quietly supporting the colony for the past four years. On cold winter nights, she provides blankets, and during festivals, she gifts them essentials. In return, she receives their heartfelt blessings.
This year, on the occasion of Sabitri Puja, a festival where married women receive 'Sabitri Saja' comprising sarees, bangles, vermilion, and fruits, Panda ensured that no woman in the colony was left out. She distributed the personally selected gifts to 38 women on Friday, a day before the festival.
'I had a profound fondness for sarees. I used to buy costly sarees for Sabitri Brata, where married women fast and pray for their husbands' longevity and prosperity. After meeting these women, I decided to purchase Sabitri Saja for them by drastically reducing my own puja expenses. Now even my family can't complain that I spend extra for this noble work,' laughs Panda, a mother of two.
Panda's commitment extends beyond material gifts. She recalls that in 2024, when she was busy with election duty during Sabitri Puja, the colony women feared she might not bring the Saja. However, she managed to deliver it a day before the festival. 'They call me 'Maa' and I love it. They mean it too,' she says.
Her bond with the women is mutual. A few years ago, when Panda faced a health issue, the colony inmates prayed fervently for her recovery. 'I recovered without any complications. I feel their prayers worked for me. They are pure souls,' she adds.
Panda urges society to show love and affection to such marginalized individuals. 'Our small gestures of kindness can make them happy. People should not hate them,' she emphasizes. Through her selfless actions, Panda has not only provided material support but also restored dignity and love to those who had been cast out.
