Some people sincerely do the work they do as work of God. They are completely involved in it. And, Rita Mandal, a health worker, who has worked for 29 years without taking leave falls in this league.
Rita Mandal works as a health worker at a Sub-health Centre in Ishwaripur, Kulpi, West Bengal. She has now been honoured with the National Florence Nightingale Award for her dedication to the profession.
President Draupadi Murmu presented the award to Rita Mandal and she received the honour for working without taking EL,band CCL for a single day during her tenure.
Not only that, Rita works as an ANM nurse at a Sub-health Centre and in her free time, she is making mothers and children aware of various ailments. Apart from her work, she has also single-handedly worked to make people aware of family planning and infectious diseases.
Rita has received many awards for her invaluable service. She has received the best health worker award in South 24 Pargana District in 2009 and 2020. In 2021, she was nominated as the best health worker in the state. This time she has received an honorary award from the President of India.
Rita has done her duty even when she has faced difficult situations in her life. She completed providing health services to people day and night in 12 villages under her jurisdiction, only after which she attended her father’s funeral.
Rita had a miscarriage in 2001, even at that time she did not apply for any leave, but was given 3 days casual leave. She contracted the virus while working as a frontline worker during the Coronavirus pandemic. Even on such circumstances, she did not back down from her goal.
Rita, who has won the prestigious award, has gone through many difficult times in her life. However, she said that she always wanted to reach out to people and stand by their side in difficult times. Rita has decided to do the same thing till the last day of her life.