Special Helpline for Migrant Odia Laborers Announced at 22nd Health Camp by Kalinga Bangalore Foundation

By Our Correspondent

Bangalore, October 2: In a significant move to support the welfare of migrant laborers from Odisha, the Additional Chief Secretary for Labour & ESI of Odisha, Mr. Niti Ranjan Sen, announced a special helpline number dedicated to assisting migrant Odia workers. This announcement was made during the 22nd health camp organized by Kalinga Bangalore Foundation (KBF), an Odia NGO, on Sunday, September 29, at Vagdevi Vilas Super School in Marathahalli, Bangalore.

KBF, a registered NGO, has been tirelessly working for over a decade to support Odia laborers who migrate to Bangalore in search of better job opportunities. Many face challenges, such as fraudulent recruitment practices and unmet employment promises. Through its initiatives, KBF works closely with the Karnataka Labour Commissioner to address these grievances and ensure the well-being of the labor community.

The health camp, which saw the participation of over 400 laborers, including local workers, provided free health check-ups. The camp included specialized screenings for breast and cervical cancer, along with eye examinations, gastrointestinal check-ups, internal medicine consultations, and gynecology services. Pediatric consultations were also offered, with 360 children receiving free vitamin supplements from Dr. B. Kapoor. In total, nearly 300 attendees benefited from free medical treatment, while all participants were provided with free breakfast and lunch.

The event also featured a health awareness session, where Mr. Niti Ranjan Sen served as the Chief Guest, and Sri Prathap Singh, former Director of a Nasdaq-listed company in New York, was the Guest of Honor. Mr. Sen emphasized the Odisha government’s commitment to establishing a dedicated Odisha Labour Information Center in Bangalore, in collaboration with KBF, to provide ongoing support to migrant workers.

Sri Prathap Singh, after touring the camp’s facilities, praised KBF’s efforts and stressed the need for regular health camps to ensure the well-being of laborers. He also announced that 95% subsidized job-ready skill development courses would soon be available to students from Odisha, facilitated by the National Education Fund in the United States.

Mrs. Subhra Patnayak, founder secretary of KBF and wife of the former Principal Secretary of Karnataka, appealed to the Odisha government for continued support in organizing health camps for migrant laborers. KBF Chairman Mr. Ranjan Kumar Acharya, in his welcome speech, expressed gratitude to the local Kannadiga community and government officials for their support, which has been instrumental in enabling KBF to assist laborers for the past 12 years under the motto “Help the Helpless.”

Mr. Santanu Parida, KBF’s Working President, concluded the event by delivering the closing remarks, reaffirming the foundation’s commitment to improving the lives of Odia laborers through healthcare and employment assistance.

The camp was a great success, reaffirming KBF’s dedication to uplifting marginalized communities in Bangalore while strengthening the bond between migrant laborers and their home state of Odisha.