Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
RANCHI– Changjar, a small village in Odisha’s Navapara district, has long been a hub for various sporting events. For decades, the village has hosted cricket, football, and kabaddi tournaments, yet it lacked a dedicated ground for these activities. Now, a remarkable act of generosity by a 95-year-old woman has changed this reality.
Savitri Majhi, a resident of Changjar, has donated five acres of her ancestral land for the construction of a mini stadium, a move that is being widely praised as historic. The village, located about 100 kilometres from the district headquarters, is known for hosting the inter-state Budhraj Cup cricket tournament, where teams from Raipur, Bilaspur, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and neighbouring Jharkhand compete. However, without a permanent venue, these events were conducted on borrowed land—either private plots or government spaces.
For years, villagers appealed to the district administration to allocate a permanent playground, but no concrete action was taken. Finally, when the youth of the village approached Savitri Majhi for help, she readily stepped forward.
“I have seen the passion for sports in this village for years,” Majhi said. “It has become a tradition that binds our community together. To continue this legacy, I decided to donate my land for the development of sports infrastructure.”
Majhi and her late husband, Nilambar Majhi, have a long history of charitable contributions to the village. During his lifetime, Nilambar Majhi had donated land for schools, high schools, and temples. Following in the same spirit, Savitri Majhi’s latest act of generosity is being hailed as a testament to her commitment to social welfare.
The district administration has welcomed her decision with enthusiasm. Navapara District Commissioner Madhusudan Das personally visited her residence to express his appreciation. “Savitri Majhi’s generosity is inspiring,” Das remarked. “We have instructed the Tehsildar to identify an additional five acres of government land adjacent to her plot to support the stadium project.”
Sports Department officials will soon visit the site and prepare a plan to expedite construction. Authorities are hopeful that with further government support, the mini stadium could be expanded into a full-fledged sports complex, providing facilities for various disciplines.
Residents of Changjar believe that Majhi’s contribution will leave a lasting legacy. “For years, we struggled to find a proper place to play,” said Ramesh Sahu, a local football player. “Now, thanks to her kindness, young athletes like us will have a permanent space to train and compete.”
Majhi’s ten children have fully supported her decision, viewing it as an extension of their family’s long-standing tradition of giving back to society. Originally from Kalahandi district, she was married into the Gontia family of Changjar, which is well known for its philanthropic activities.
Community leaders and sports enthusiasts alike have hailed Majhi’s act as a model of selflessness. “Her contribution is not just about land; it’s about nurturing the future of sports in our village,” said Rajesh Mishra, a local school teacher. “She has set an example for the entire state.”
As preparations for the stadium begin, excitement is building among the youth. The villagers believe that this new facility will not only enhance sports culture but also inspire future generations to take up athletics professionally.
Majhi’s selfless gesture demonstrates how an individual’s love for sports and commitment to social responsibility can transform a community. At 95, she has ensured that Changjar’s sporting tradition will not only survive but thrive for years to come.