For Doordarshan cameraperson Achyutananda Sahoo, work always came first

The Maoist attacked them while they were passing through a forest in Aranpur under Dantewada limits on two motorcycles.
Doordarshan cameraperson Achyutananda Sahoo. (Photo| Facebook)
Doordarshan cameraperson Achyutananda Sahoo. (Photo| Facebook)

BALANGIR/ BHUBANESWAR: As shock over Doordarshan cameraperson Achyutananda Sahoo’s death at the hands of Maoists in Dantewada gave way to grief, family members, friends and colleagues remembered the man he was - down to earth, helpful and a workoholic. Work always came first for Sahoo - married only a year and half back - who was in Dantewada since Monday along with colleagues reporter Dhiraj Kumar and lighting assistant Mormukut Sharma to cover Chhattisgarh elections.

The Maoist attacked them while they were passing through a forest in Aranpur under Dantewada limits on two motorcycles. While his colleague escaped the attack, Sahoo fell to the bullets sprayed by Left extremists.A native of Ghusuramunda village under Loisingha police limits in Balangir district, the 34-year-old Sahoo completed his schooling and graduation and worked as a gram rozgar sevak in Budhipadar panchayat before joining the Indian Army as a clerk.

Born to Tulasi and Narenendra Sahoo, the youngest among four siblings took voluntary retirement and joined Biju Patnaik Film & Television Institute (BPFTI) at Cuttack to study cinematography in 2008. His family members remember that he always had an interest in photography and videography.
His teachers and friends from the institute, where Sahoo studied till 2011, recall Sahoo as a brave man of values.

“He was disciplined and a daredevil who brought new scripts and ideas to the classroom every day. He used to experiment with new visuals and videos in difficult landscapes, something that not many students will dare to do on a daily basis,” Principal of BPFTI Dillip Kumar Panda said. He was a student whom many others in the institute emulated. Also, since he was two to three years older than his classmates, he was respected by all. 

In 2013, Sahoo joined Doordarshan as a cameraperson and covered official programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the last being inauguration of Jharsuguda Airport on September 22. Just hours before his death, Sahoo uploaded videos of Chitrakote waterfalls and selfies with a bunch of children and a friend. 
His senior from Biju Patnaik Film & Television Institute of Orissa, Manoranjan Badatya recounted how work was always a priority for Sahoo who was married a year-and-half back.

“This was perhaps the first time that he did not visit his family during Nuakhai festival due to his election coverage. He was an humble person who would help anyone and everyone. I was his senior in the college but younger in age but Sahoo would address me as Bhai,” said Manoranjan who was associated with Sahoo for eight years.

Anand Bhitria, his school friend from Budhipadar, recalled him as a person who always smiled through difficulties. For Sahoo’s elder brother, Prabhat, the loss is yet to sink in. “I had spoken to him before he went to Chhattisgarh. His death has left us blank. Government should take stringent measures against Maoists to give us justice,” he said.  

Sahoo’s mortal remains are being brought to his village where they will be consigned to flames after his parents and wife return from Haridwar and Delhi respectively. Alumni of Biju Patnaik Film & Television Institute of Orissa held condolence meetings in Cuttack and New Delhi on Tuesday evening.

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