Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s 14th round of the public grievance redressal program was marked by a moment of profound empathy, as he personally intervened to counsel an elderly man who had threatened to commit suicide out of despair.
The incident underscored the Chief Minister’s commitment to not only addressing public problems but also to connecting with citizens on a deeply human level.
PS to the Chief Minister, Manoj Sahu, was also present throughout the meeting, briefing the CM on the various issues presented.
During the meeting, an elderly applicant named Jagabandhu Panda expressed his frustration, stating he would commit suicide if his long-standing issues were not resolved.
Hearing this, a visibly concerned Chief Minister Shri Majhi immediately expressed his displeasure and urged Shri Panda never to use that word again.
He reassured the distressed man that his government was there precisely to solve such problems. “I am here to resolve your issues,” Shri Majhi reportedly said, appealing for patience and promising that any genuine grievance would receive swift and fair assistance.
The CM’s words transformed a moment of desperation into one of hope, demonstrating his belief that no citizen should feel so alone that they would resort to such a thought.
This singular interaction was set against the backdrop of a larger, more systematic effort by the government to make itself accessible to the people.
From the first day of his tenure, Chief Minister Shri Majhi has emphasized the importance of listening to and solving the problems of common citizens. He is popularly addressed as “People’s Chief Minister”, said a senior officer present in the mmeting hall.
CM Shri Majhi highlighted that 88 percent of the complaints received in the previous 13 rounds of the program have already been resolved, with the remaining issues in active process.
This program, which is also being held at the district level, is a clear manifestation of the government’s philosophy: to be a government of the people, dedicated to serving the people, and a government that is not inaccessible.
The incident with Jagabandhu Panda served as a powerful reminder that beyond the statistics and official processes, the true measure of a government lies in its ability to offer compassion and a genuine listening ear to its most vulnerable citizens.