Paradip, Sept. 22: Women here have had it with waiting for the panchayat and block administration to act and have taken up the broom themselves.

Homemakers from Barajpur village in Barakanda gram panchayat of Mahakalpada police limits have taken up the responsibility of cleaning the village in the hope of reduce the mosquito menace to some extent.

"The panchayat body had adequate funds for sanitation and hygiene. However, it has not been able to clear the heaps of garbage lying all over the place. The mosquito menace had assumed alarming proportions. So, we pledged to remove the garbage ourselves," said Malati Mohanty, a resident of the area.

The village, which was full of weeds and garbage, now wears a clean look.

The villagers had requested both the panchayat body and the block officials to take measures to keep the village clean. When they didn't take action, the local women took it upon themselves to clean up the village.

"It's heartening to see homemakers spontaneously coming forward to clean up the village," said local resident Rajendra Das.

"People should realise that lack of cleanliness is the root cause behind the spurt in the various diseases. Heaps of garbage and accumulated stagnant water along the roadside spots had become the breeding ground of mosquitoes," said villager Saraswati Garabadu.

"We were worried as the village environs had turned unhealthy. There was garbage and waste all over the village. Various spots in the village were full of overgrowth," said homemaker Tarangini Samal.

"Although the panchayat body used to carry out periodic sanitation work, the villagers themselves were not cleanliness conscious. Garbage was being dumped by the roadside. Every villager is to be blamed for the mess. But the possible strike of dengue and chikungunya brought about a change in villagers' mindset," Samal said.

"Initially many were hesitant. Only a few women turned up when the drive was launched. After a couple of hours, better sense prevailed among the majority of villagers. There was enthusiastic participation from every household later. As the drive went on, women took centre stage spearheading the cleanliness drive," said village elder Ramahari Senapati.

Block development officer, Mahakalpada, Kailash Chandra Behera, said: "We are happy to know that women have voluntarily taken up community work. The local gram panchayat body has been directed to launch a sanitation drive in the village expeditiously."