PANAJI
They are mainly involved in security and housekeeping services at offices and institutions, but personnel of the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC) have been involved in unusual work over the last few days.
As part of a humanitarian cause, these staff have been cleaning houses, community buildings and temples as part of efforts to help people in the flood-affected areas across the State.
The GHRDC staff went to the remote flood-affected villages in the talukas of Sanguem, Sattari, Bicholim, Pernem and Dharbandora to assist people affected by the floods and used their own network to identify the families in need.
“Our staff from all over Goa did a commendable job as part of their social responsibility with self-motivation. I just encouraged them and helped them with logistics,” acknowledged GHRDC Managing Director Narayan Navti.
“I am proud of the GHRDC staff, who are among the lowest-paid staff of the government getting a monthly salary of around Rs 14,000-16,000 and yet, they volunteered towards this humanitarian cause,” he added.
Besides cleaning the floors and walls, the GHRDC staff also cleaned the utensils and other household appliances and furniture in the flood-affected houses and other buildings.
Providing details of these services, GHRDC Senior Security Officer Ichit Phaldessai said in one such case, the GHRDC team managed to reach the Ghavankond area of Dabhal village, where people were struggling to get back to normalcy after the floods.
“We worked hard to remove muddy water from their houses. We managed to clean around 10 houses in the area. Similar work was carried out in Karmane, Uguem and Sanguem areas,” said Phaldessai.
“We had four teams in South Goa with a total strength of 120 staff,” he added.
Lady Security Guard Priti Naik said the GHRDC women were also involved in cleaning houses of the flood-affected people.
"We got great satisfaction while serving the people in need and distress. It was a fulfilling experience,” said Naik.
The GHRDC staff also cleaned the ancestral house of the Savoikar family in Advoi.
GHRDC Security Officer Siddhesh Bordekar narrated his experiences during the relief work in North Goa.
“We cleaned temples at Virdi, Sankhali. Bicholim Deputy Collector Deepak Vaingankar arranged a vehicle for our transportation. We received good support and encouragement from our Managing Director Narayan Navti,” said Bordekar.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also acknowledged the services of the GHRDC staff in relief work.
“The Goa Human Resource Development Corporation personnel are working round the clock to restore the lives and homes of the people affected by the floods,” stated Sawant in a tweet.
