Teen cycles over 35km to rush injured father to hospital in Odisha

A 14-year-old girl from Odisha's Bhadrak district, Sujata Sethi, displayed incredible determination by pedaling a trolley rickshaw for 35 km to transport her injured father to the district headquarters hospital (DHH). The incident took place on October 23 but only recently came to light when some locals and journalists spotted Sujata near Mohatab Chhak in Bhadrak town, returning home with her father on the trolley.

Sujata, a resident of Nadigan village, initially took her father to Dhamnagar hospital, which was approximately 14 km away from their village. However, doctors at Dhamnagar advised her to transfer her father to Bhadrak DHH for further treatment. Undeterred, Sujata pedaled the trolley for an additional 35 km to bring her father to the district hospital on October 23. Her father, Sambhunath, had sustained injuries during a group clash on October 22.

Explaining her remarkable efforts, Sujata stated that the doctors at Bhadrak DHH had advised her to return a week later for her father's operation. Lacking the means to hire a private vehicle or call for an ambulance, she made use of her father's trolley to transport him to the hospital.


Upon learning of the incident, Bhadrak MLA Sanjib Mallick and former Dhamnagar MLA Rajendra Das extended their support to the girl and her family.

The Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Bhadrak, Santanu Patra, confirmed that Sambhunath was admitted to the hospital on October 23 and would receive treatment there. However, he noted that the hospital currently lacks an ambulance service to transport patients back home.

Sujata's story of determination and resilience in the face of adversity has garnered widespread attention and admiration. The local authorities and community members have rallied to support the girl and her family during this challenging time.