Nuagaon: Two minor siblings from Badalipur village under this block in Nayagarh district were forced to end their studies and stay at home to take care of their cancer-affected mother.
Taking care of their bed-ridden mother is the only motive of the 15-year-old girl (a Class X pass-out) and her 11-year-old brother (a Class VII pass-out).
At an age when children go to school and get pampered by parents, the two have shouldered the responsibilities of their ailing mother after the death of their father, who was also a cancer patient.
Kishore Mahakud’s family comprised his wife Basanti Mahakud (38) and their two children. They eked out a living with whatever the couple earned by working as daily labourers. However, things took an ugly turn after Kishore was diagnosed with cancer and succumbed to the disease six years ago.
The responsibility of the two children then fell on Basanti’s shoulders who worked hard to make both ends meet. She worked as a domestic help to ensure her daughter completed her board exam while the boy finished Class VII.
Unfortunately, Basanti was also affected by cancer, leading the family into more trouble. Initially, she borrowed some money and underwent an operation following which the doctors advised her to stay away from physical work.
However, her responsibilities to take care of her kids goaded her to continue working. This exacerbated her condition, making her bed-ridden for life.
Since then, her children carry the responsibilities of looking after their mother.
A monthly pension of Rs 300 and 15 kg of rice under NFSA Act are the only support they have been receiving from the government, locals said.
Basanti has been battling for life due to financial constraints.
The boy stays by her mother’s bed while the girl prepares food and does household chores. They feed their mother. Apprehending that they would become orphans, the kids cry quietly at the house corridors.
However, before their mother, they stay strong. Locals sympatised with the poor siblings and urged the administration to rehabilitate them and provide Basanti with proper treatment. When contacted, Nayagarh district children protection officer Pritikant Panda said necessary measures will be taken for the future of the children. PNN