BHUBANESWAR: This is the story of an Independent' who dreams of collective wellbeing and transperant
governance.

Here is a young Ho tribal, who is an electrical engineer, has quit a plumb job to take the poll plunge with a resolve to "to do something for society at large". Baidyanath Sing is a candidate in the tribal-dominated Karanjia constituency (ST) in Mayurbhanj district, but unattached to a political party.

"I have been driven by deep desire bring about a change in society through transparent and accountable governance," said the 35-year-old Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) pass-out.

"Today, Indian politics is in bad shape because most of the so-called educated people prefer to stay away from it. It is high time we did something for our country and helped the poor and deprived," said Sing, who was born to illiterate parents at tribal village.

Sing struggled hard to complete his education. Enormously to his credit, Sing ranked 10th in JEE. He then completed his B Tech at Regional Engineering College in Rourkela before doing M Tech at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore).

Sing was a faculty member in a private engineering college for a couple of years. "But I have resigned to serve the people. Politics is my career and I cannot think of anything else," he added.

"I have been working for the area and its people since my student days. I landed a job, but there was always an emptiness for not doing much for the masses. I joined politics. I feel politics is the only way to solve people's problems," Sing explained.

In Sing's views unemployment, poor infrastructure, environment degradation, deforestation and education and medical facilities are the issues which need to be addressed. "All political parties see tribals as vote bank and once elections are over, political leaders forget them. In my opinion, farming is the most productive option to ensure over-all development. But it has to be managed efficiently," he added.

"Most people think that today politics is all about money power or muscle power. I have neither money nor muscle power, but still, I want to prove a point and I am hopeful of people's support," he said.

Sing, who has joined the election fray almost empty handed, is being supported by Agami Odisha, a non-political organization and some close friends. Sing has also launched a website, www.baidyasing.org in which he will upload information about poll funds accounts.