By Braja Bihari Nanda

Phulbani: Amid war-footing rescue, relief and restoration operations across Kandhamal, District Collector Vedabhushan is leading from the front - so much so that even a life's biggest personal moment took a backseat.

Collector Vedabhushan became father of a baby girl early this morning at Phulbani Government Medical College Hospital. It is his first child.

But there was no time to celebrate. Within hours, the Collector was back on the ground.

From visiting cyclone shelters at Manikeswar Panchayat in Raikia block to interacting with inmates, reviewing facilities, and rushing to the Gidipabali landslide site on the Kandhamal-Ganjam border where rescue is underway for 13 missing persons, he continued his rounds without break.

Also Read: Gidipabali landslide: A wife's heartbreaking account of the fateful night

Later in the day, he reviewed the situation at the 24x7 control room at Phulbani and took stock of restoration work with 12 nodal officers deployed across 12 blocks.

With no rest from morning till evening and heavy responsibility on his shoulders, the Collector chose duty over personal joy - a gesture that is being widely appreciated across the district.