Election campaign job for Rs 1000 a day

BARIPADA/BALASORE: Sarat Panda, a 25-year-old from Balasore, starts his day at 7am on his moped to go electioneering for candidates of different political parties every day.
He has decorated his vehicle with posters and leaflets of the various candidates and has been attracting voters by playing recorded songs and shouting slogans. He covers around 80 to 100 km on his moped and charges Rs 1,000 per day.
"My father started this mobile advertising several years ago. He used to advertise for sarees and readymade dresses and other products. During election, candidates approached us to reach out to more voters for a comparatively lower price," Panda said.
He takes breaks at markets, bus stops, residential colonies and other crowded places and tries to attract the attention of people by shouting interesting slogans and playing campaign songs of the candidates. "I decorated the vehicle in such a manner that it will hardly escape anyone's notice. Unlike other campaign vehicles, it can reach more people in both rural and urban areas of the constituency," he said.
Like Panda, thousands of unemployed youths have got an opportunity to earn by being a part of the campaigning process during the election across the state.
"I am distributing leaflets of various candidates at places of mass gathering like Chhau festival, temples, bus stops and local haats. I distribute at least 500 to 1000 leaflets a day by roaming around the town and its nearby areas and get Rs 1000 a day. I get extra income during election,' said Babulal Singh, a rickshaw-puller in Baripada.
Hundreds of youths are also participating in campaign rallies every day, but not for free. They are earning fuel for their bikes plus Rs 300 to Rs 500 in cash excluding food and drinks.
"We don't have any work otherwise. So, instead of sitting idle at home, if can earn Rs 300 plus fuel and food what's the harm?" Jatin Nayak, a law student in Baripada.
Hundreds of artists and businessmen have also been engaged and got an opportunity to earn some easy bucks during the election.
"I am campaigning for a candidate in rural areas through my Pala troupe. For the last 15 days, we have been organizing pala shows in villages and have prepared special shows praising the candidate," said Damayanti Sahoo, a woman pala singer in Mayurbhanj district.