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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | UN award for polio crusader -Shuchismita Chakraborty

UN award for polio crusader -Shuchismita Chakraborty

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published Published on Oct 25, 2013   modified Modified on Oct 25, 2013
-The Telegraph


Patna: For eight years, Martha Dodarai has been walking 20km every day to reach a child for polio vaccination.

Next month, her arduous journey will be recognised by the United Nations Foundation in New York.

Dodarai, 43, who grew up in Latehar and works in Darbhanga, will represent frontline polio workers from around the world when she is feted at the Global Leadership Awards Dinner on November 6.

A citation on the Foundation's website says: "The honorees at this year's dinner are connected by courage. From one girl's quest to ensure equal opportunity for girls' education around the world, to polio workers who visit the world's most dangerous areas to prevent disease, the individuals and organisations being honored demonstrate how the UN's mission and work is inspirational to people of all ages."

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani student shot by the Taliban when returning from school on October 9, 2012, is among the honorees.

Dodarai, an auxiliary nurse midwife with the Kusheshwar Asthan Primary Health Centre in Bihar, walks to work because there is no transport from her village Kusheshwar Asthan. To reach Tilakpur, the last village in Darbhanga, she not only treks 20km but also crosses a river - sometimes rowing the boat herself when she can't find a boatman.

"It takes me three hours to reach Tilakpur. I also have to juggle between Kusheshwar Asthan and Arai, 20km away in the opposite direction. While passing through jungles, I do get scared at times," smiles Dodarai, who wakes up at 3am so she can leave by 4.

Health workers like her have helped achieve the goal of polio eradication. The World Health Organisation took India off the list of polio countries in 2012. The last case was reported from Howrah in 2011.

"People here don't like women to go out for work and those who do are highly criticised. Martha Dodarai crossed every barrier," said Bhagwan Das, the medical officer in charge of the Kusheshwar Asthan health centre.

Madhup Bajpai, regional team leader, WHO, said the Centre had "selected top 40 health workers and finally Martha Dodarai was selected". "Martha is representing health workers from across the world engaged in the polio eradication programme. As all health workers couldn't be called to New York, Martha will represent all of them."

Dodarai said she was happy but nervous. "This will be the first time I will board a flight. I am getting nervous just thinking what will happen when I reach New York. Everyone will speak in English there," said Dodarai, a matriculate.


The Telegraph, 25 October, 2013, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131025/jsp/nation/story_17492699.jsp#.UmoMvVPcjco


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