Junagarh: In a heart-wrenching story, an 18-year-old orphan girl has given up everything to educate her minor brothers after the death of her parents, thanks to an apathetic administration which is still unaware of the orphans’ plight.
With the sole aim of educating her brothers, the Class X passed girl has given up further studies and is doing odd jobs such as a domestic help and farmhand. From running the family to meeting her brother’s education expenses, the girl has taken all the responsibilities on her shoulders.
At a time when parents are forcing their children to beg and siblings are killing each other over family feuds, the dedication of Sushama Guru (18) of Kumbhapada village under Junagarh block in Kalahandi district for her brothers is highly inspiring.
Six years ago, their father Sribasta Guru passed away following a heart attack. His wife Basanti also died soon after from an unknown disease. Thus at 12, at that time, Sushama had got the responsibility of taking care of her two brothers Karthik and Baishab.
With none to take care of and no source of livelihood, they had to starve for days together. They survived on whatever locals had provided out of sympathy. As the life was getting hard, Sushama had decided to work and earn some money.
Taking pity on them, their grandparents took Karthik with them for his studies. Now, Sushama takes care of Baishab and his education. Occasionally, she also visits her grandparents and gives money for Karthik’s education.
A thatched house is their shelter with no help from the government. They are deprived of rice under ration card. Earlier, Sushama had written a letter to Junagarh MLA about her plight following which the MLA had directed the BDO to provide a house and other government benefits to the girl. However, there has been no help as yet.
When contacted, BDO Param Brahma Joshi said the orphans would be given ration card soon. They will also get other government benefits after talks with the collector, he added. PNN
