Post News Network
Chitrada, April 20: The sorry plight of five children of Dehuri Sahi in Badajamabani village under Morada block in Mayurbhanj has belied the government’s claim of working for the poor and the disadvantaged and made a mockery of the much-touted poverty alleviation programmes.
Four of the children — Rupa (10), China (8), Sanjay (6) and Topei (4) — are the offspring of Mili and Ghania Dehury. However, when her husband died three years ago, Mili was unable to take care of them. She then left the children with her brother Bijay and has been missing since.
Bijay, who was already under strain, had to take on the burden of bringing up these children, as well as Mami, the elder daughter of his own daughter Saraswati.
Saraswati, who was staying with Bijay after her marriage with Babula Dehury, has three children. Her situation also turned miserable after her husband migrated to another state to work as a daily wager and subsequently became untraceable. A few months ago, Saraswati, unable to take care of her three children, migrated to another state with two of her children, leaving Mami in the care of her father Bijay.
Now, Bijay finds it difficult to take care of five children. His only resource is his land and a BPL card. His shanty is in a dilapidated state and in dire need of repair.
“The only government help I get is 25 kg rice per month. It is difficult to look after the children with that,” he rued.
To add to his problems, Mami was recently diagnosed with leprosy. Children shun her after they learnt of her ailment.
A few days ago, China Dehury had fainted by a roadside. She had reported not eaten for two days. China is now being taken care of by a neighbor, Himansu Mohant. The children go to school to get midday meals.
Residents of the area have demanded rehabilitation of these helpless children. However, the block education officer, Ganeswar Giri, said that all the seats in residential schools have been filled.