Bhubaneswar, 17 July (H.S.): Upholding their long-standing tradition of selfless service, swayamsevaks of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) played a pivotal role in ensuring safety and support during the grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri. With lakhs of devotees gathering for the annual festival, the swayamsevaks actively contributed to crowd management and emergency response operations.

One of the most notable initiatives was the formation of human chains along the congested routes, enabling the smooth passage of ambulances. This proved crucial in providing timely medical assistance, as devotees who fell ill amid the massive crowd were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals. Their disciplined and coordinated efforts drew widespread appreciation.

In collaboration with the Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti, the RSS organized nine categories of service activities, continuing its annual commitment to public welfare. These services were formally inaugurated at the primary medical centre on the day of the Rath Yatra. The ceremony was attended by RSS Odisha Purv Prant Sanghachalak Samir Kumar Mohanty, Kshetra Seva Pramukh Deepak Kumar Rout, and committee secretary V. Krishna Gopal, who marked the occasion by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

Swayamsevaks undertook a wide range of responsibilities, including assisting injured and unconscious devotees, facilitating stretcher services, and coordinating with hospital authorities. Devotees requiring urgent care were quickly moved from the Bada Danda to ambulances and then to hospitals, where further assistance was provided as per medical requirements.

This year, over 1,800 swayamsevaks from all 30 districts of Odisha were deployed in a well-structured manner. Teams worked in shifts to manage ambulance services, distribute drinking water, and sprinkle water along the routes to provide relief from the heat. Dedicated groups were assigned to stretcher services, hospital coordination, and maintaining cleanliness along the Bada Danda. Medical teams comprising doctors, pharmacists, and support staff remained stationed at primary healthcare centres.

A key focus area was maintaining an uninterrupted ambulance corridor from the chariot route to Medical Square, ensuring swift emergency response. These medical services will continue throughout the festival period until the Bahuda Yatra.

In addition to RSS volunteers, over 500 karyakartas from the Hindu Jagaran Manch also participated in the service initiatives. Senior functionaries, including National Co-Organisation Minister Devendra Ji, Odisha Prant Organisation Minister Tanmaya Dash, Prant Convener Raghunath Barik, Co-Convener Ashish B. Chhotray, and Executive Member Subrata Dhal, were present and actively involved in the coordinated efforts.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda