Good news is that these days many Odia actors and actresses are showing interest for social work. The benefit of a celebrity doing social work is that many others watch him/her activities and get inspired. In this context it is worthy to mention about actor Udayan Aparajit, the lead actor of Odia film ‘Badmas Toka’. Besides, he has a few other films in the pipeline. The enthusiast has also started an acting institute in the capital city.
Asked about his life as a social worker Udayan said, “Since long I am interested for social work. However, I spent a long time in Bangalore and Mumbai for a career in acting. Finally I managed to grab an opportunity to become a lead actor in a Kannada movie after long nine years of struggle. Later I decided to return my home state and fortunately got an opportunity. I was featured in Odia film ‘Badmas Toka’ as the hero. Now life is good and I can think of some more. And hence I decided to accomplish my dream of becoming a social worker.”
“Accordingly I started a group titled ‘UD: Unplugged Dreams’ along with some likeminded friends. The group was started merely one year ago. In Bhubaneswar I lead the works along with four others. Fortunately, after posting the photos in social media our works earned wide recognition. Each Sunday we visit different places in the city to distribute food items and clothes to needy people. We call it ‘Mission Sunday’. Mission Sunday has now spread to Delhi, Bangalore and Assam and Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Balasore in Odisha,” he added.
Other than food distribution the group also helps patients, arranges blood donors and spends time with orphans and senior citizens by organizing workshops and creative interaction programs in orphanages and old age homes.
Where from the finance for the social work comes? Udayan said, “Unplugged Dreams runs only with funds donated by members. I pay the major amount. We do not have any financer.”
Few days back renowned Odia actor Anubhav Mohanty attended a program organised by team UD and highly appreciated the effort. Also actor Akash Dasnayak was present at Seva Ashram in Bhubaneswar in another program by team UD. Aparajit said, “We are thankful to the actors for showing interest in social work.”
Members of the group intimated about their works so far they have done:
- The group has distributed food, energy drinks and fruits to beggars and other needy people found taking rest in different places of the town.
- The group has provided meals and distributed study materials in orphanages.
- The group has conducted creative and educational workshops in orphanages and old age homes.
- The group has helped a six years old cancer patient with an amount to the tune of Rs 22,000 and also arranged rented house for him in Cuttack for 6 months.
- The group has helped abandoned/helpless patients getting admitted to hospitals.
- The group has arranged blood for patients on demand.
Also read: Inspiring tale of a young farmer from Mayurbhanj
Ms Kalinga