London / Nabarangpur, Odisha | January 27, 2026: A long-standing need for a secure, roofed bathroom facility for 46 tribal girls in the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Balika Ashram in Majhiguda, Nabarangpur, Odisha, has finally been met. This project is funded and executed by United Kingdom (UK) based Odia entrepreneurs, it marks a substantial progress in the living conditions of the girls, who had limited access to basic sanitation until now. The work curbs from an emotional attachment to Odisha and a moral responsibility towards some of its most vulnerable parts of society. The work is done with pure sentiments and love for the state and people of their origin. The initiative involved field-level need assessment, local coordination, and engagement with the district administration led by Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak and Ms Swagatika Tripathy and received financial support from Captain Arun Kar (Retd.) and Mrs Nidhi Kar. The Ashram is funded by the Government (Govt.) of Odisha and currently houses 46 tribal girls aged between seven and fourteen, the majority of whom belong to Scheduled Tribe communities. Govt. provides free boarding and lodging, education (including coaching), computer training, and health check-up support. The local nurses and health care professional’s visits keep the health condition of the girls continuously under supervision. Dr. Pattnayak and Ms. Tripathy witnessed a caring and regulated environment. The ashram has continued to keep community involvement at its heart. Odia diaspora, and residents have been visiting the girls to celebrate a birthday or a festival and involve them emotionally as well as financially.

During multiple visits, they identified one of the most pressing concerns at the ashram — the lack of a proper bathroom facility, a necessity that had long been unavailable. Previously, the girls had been compelled to use nearby bushes, raising serious issues around safety, privacy, hygiene and mental wellbeing. With formal approval from the authorities, UK based Odia Entrepreneur Captain Arun Kar (Retd.) and Mrs Nidhi Kar personally undertook to finance the construction of a dedicated bathroom facility. Work commenced in January 2026, marking a significant step towards resolving a long-standing and sensitive problem. The roof has now been completed, and the project is expected to be fully finished within days.

Dr Pattnayak and Ms Tripathy, both residents of the UK and originally from Nabarangpur. They have a historic relationship with the ashram as regular visitors to assess and lend a helping hand in necessary areas. During their current visit, they have noticed the need for an appropriate bathroom facility for the girls. The visit was facilitated by District Child Protection Officer Shri Suresh Pattnaik.

Regarding the initiative, Ms. Tripathy said: “These girls need more than just a bathroom. They needed dignity, security, and certainty that they have been heard, understood, and supported for their overall growth. Through this project, it will improve sanitation and menstrual hygiene. It will impact on how a child feels about herself.

Engagement with District Administration Dr. Pattnayak and social worker Shri Kanhu Raj Benjamin Singh Sadhu met Nabarangpur Collector Dr. Maheswar Swain to convey the UK based Odia diaspora initiatives and to monitor progress for welfare interventions. Meetings were also held with MP Shri Balabhadra Majhi and MLA Shri Gouri Majhi on child protection/dignity/sustainable community response.

A Model of Care by Prabasi Odias from Miles Away from Homeland Captain Kar and Mrs Kar, who are members of the Odia diaspora of UK, make regular visits to their home state. They were deeply moved by the hardships faced by local girls, they often questioned why such suffering continued to persist in the 21st century, when the world is progressing vastly. Their involvement grew through direct interaction with the community with a deeper understanding of local realities. Based on this, they have funded the construction of a bathroom facility at the ashram. Their support, however, goes beyond infrastructure, indicating a broader commitment to the welfare of the girls.

Mon Library Initiative: Another example of support for Sustained Menstrual Hygiene In April 2025, during Utkal Divas celebration in UK, the regular demand for sanitary products at the ashram was raised by Dr Pattnayak and Ms Priyanka agreed to support by raising funds through their Mon Library initiative. As part of the fund raise effort, many women and children joined in this cause. Captain Kar and Mrs. Kar understood the need, and they kind-heartedly donated a generous amount on top of the collected fund to the Mo Library initiative which helped to provide sanitary pads to 38 girls for three months.

Collective Action Rooted in Belonging The construction of a toilet and the promotion of menstrual hygiene stand as powerful proof of what can be achieved when people stay emotionally connected to their roots. Through the unwavering efforts of local communities and the Odia diaspora in the UK, a quiet yet transformative change continues to unfold nurturing dignity, safety, and hope among Odisha’s most vulnerable children, and inspiring others to carry this spirit of compassion forward.

Media Contact: Abhishek Singh, Premium NewsWire (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR