Patrapur, August 23: In yet another chilling reminder of the infamous Nagada village in Jajpur district where malnutrition claimed the lives of 22 kids, a tribal village Raikhal under Patrapur block in Ganjam district is a picture of sheer negligence where many children seem to have been affected by malnutrition.
As many as 15 children of the village are affected by fever. Some of them were identified as Gayatri Behera, Bayani Behera, Babula Behera, Manoj Behera, Ramesh Behera, Kuntula Karji, Sarojini Bisoyi and Sangita Behera.
On the other hand, many toddlers were also reported to be affected by malnutrition. The condition of one-and-a-half-year-old son of Juru Behera of the village was critical. Similarly, many more were affected by malnutrition, locals said, adding that a medical examination could confirm the disease.
Most of the children have a bony body frame with protruding bellies. Their limbs seem very weak. Lack of medical facilities has added to the woes of the tribals who depend on traditional healers and herbs for medicine.
According to sources, the village surrounded by hills is inhabited by over 200 people of around 44 families. One has to trek 8km from the block through a dense forest to reach the village. It is completely cut off from the rest of the world due to lack of a road connectivity to the village. A footpath through the hills is the only source of communication for the tribals.
The village is gripped with darkness due to lack of power supply. The only source of light for them is sun light during day. Basic education, health and drinking water facilities are a far away dream for these tribals.
At least 50 innocent kids of the village are deprived of education and forced to tend cows for a living. The students have to trek 7km to reach a local school. Fearing wild animal attack, the tribals do not let their children to go to school but instead engage them in farm works.
Similarly, a water pit is their only source of drinking water. They filter the water using a thin cloth and use it for cooking. This has worsened the health of the kids. The locals pleaded with the administration to look into their woes. PNN