Hrusikesh Mohanty
ITI students repair electric appliances in Aska hospital
Berhampur: Armed with their technical skills, around 40 students from five govt-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and UCP Government Engineering School have joined restoration efforts in flood-ravaged Aska, one of the worst-affected towns in Ganjam district, repairing electrical appliances, water pumps and plumbing systems damaged by recent floods.Students from electrical, electronics and plumbing streams of ITIs at Berhampur, Sheragada, Purushottampur, Hinjilicut and Chhatrapur, along with those from UCP Government Engineering School, began the repair work on Monday. The students have already repaired electrical equipment at Aska sub-divisional hospital, which was inundated by floodwater.Divided into six groups, the students on Tuesday took up repair of air-conditioners and other electrical equipment, water pumps and plumbing systems at different households, district skill development and employment officer (DSDEO) Arpita Priyadarshini said. “The students are striving to help normalise daily life by repairing damaged electrical equipment and water supply systems,” she said.Teams are working under the supervision of the district administration, with each group assigned a supervisor. “By connecting technical education with social service, these young students have demonstrated their skills in post-disaster rehabilitation and restoration work,” said ITI Berhampur principal Ranjan Kumar Parida.Heavy rain and subsequent floods disrupted electricity and water supply systems in several parts of Ganjam. Water pumps and other electrical appliances at govt establishments as well as private homes were damaged or rendered non-functional after being submerged.Parida said thousands of families affected by the rain and floods urgently needed skilled workers for repairs, prompting the district administration to deploy students in affected areas. “Accordingly, we have deputed students on a rotational basis,” he said.The students will continue visiting affected areas over the next few days, the DSDEO said.Their services have assumed significance as household appliances of thousands of residents were damaged when floodwater entered homes on Oct 28. Many affected families have struggled to get equipment repaired because of a shortage of skilled workers, while several repair workshops in the towns were themselves affected by flooding in the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab.