Khariar: Life can be cruel sometimes. A glaring example of this are three sisters of Gharadhara village in Nuapada district’s Khariar block.
The three sisters Gayatri, (24), Goutami, (22) and Champakoli, (20), have been crippled by a rare neurological disease of genetic origin. The sisters are emaciated and their limbs paralysed. Hunger haunts the family as the impoverished parents struggle hard to make both ends meet.
Upendra Banchor and Annapurna Banchor’s family comprise their four daughters including Dulabhi, (18), and two sons Bibhuti Bhusan, (16) and Chaudhary, (14). A 1.5 acre farm was their only asset and the below poverty line (BPL) family depends on farming for their living.
Things were going fine as the girls grew up. Gayatri completed Board exams in 2008 while Goutami finished it in 2010. However, their happiness did not last long.
Gayatri, (24), was soon hit by an unknown disease. Her limbs stiffened making it hard to move. Slowly, she became paralysed and bed-ridden.
The family sold their ancestral property and gold for Gayatri’s treatment, but that was of no use. There was no solution to the deadly disease although they went to many hospitals.
The disease soon affected Goutami and Champakoli. With the disease worsening the three sisters are now confined to their beds. Upendra and Annapurna have no choice but see their daughters battle for life.
While girls of their age are studying, helping their parents and dreaming of the future, the three sisters have to depend on their mother for everything.
Their mother carries them to the bathroom. The couple has sold all their property and gold for their treatment. Ironically, no government aid has been provided for the treatment of the girls.
“They might be suffering from a congenital disease,” chief district medical officer (CDMO) Jagdish Mahanand said. He said a medical team would visit the village and examine the girls soon. PNN
