Rayagada, April 17 -- In a heartening example of personal initiative and community spirit, a young man from Odisha's Rayagada district has repaired a 3-km road to his remote village at his own expense, just ahead of his wedding.

Dhiren Kadarka, a resident of Jambugada village under Kankubadi panchayat in Bishamakatak block, took it upon himself to make the road motorable before his wedding on April 16. The village, home to over 60 families and located around 11 km from Bishamakatak town, lacked a proper road, severely affecting connectivity and transportation for years.

Although a mud road was laid under the MGNREGA scheme long ago, it had deteriorated due to lack of maintenance. Villagers had repeatedly appealed to the authorities for ...