Rajkumar Das
Humanity triumphed over death and stark poverty, once again, as local youth along with local leaders extend help to a hapless father and his three children. Kajal Malakar, partially handicapped and a daily wage earner hails from ward no 3 of Barogol villages under Kadamtala block in North Tripura. Despite his stark poverty, Kajal did not get any houses under government schemes and lives in a bamboo-and-cane made hut.
Making thing worse for Kajal, just a few days ago, his wife died of burn injuries leaving behind three kids – two daughters and a son. The family is so poor that it could not even bear the cost of performing ‘Shradha’ of his wife. Kajal cannot go out in search of works leaving behind his children uncared in the house.
In such a situation, local youth stepped forward and informed the Kadamtala Panchayat Samiti chairman Subrata Deb about the plight of Kajal. Deb immediately called up the Kadamtala BDO and detailed present situation of BDO. Before administration can do something, Subrata Deb met Kajal and donated some essentials including bedding etc. Meanwhile, local people also stood behind the helpless father.
“We are trying to stand by the family. Being a member of a civilized society, we cannot see three little kids shiver in cold and fall asleep in an empty stomach. Many people are giving Kajal rice, pulses and even cash to tide over the difficult time”, said one of the locals who came to help Kajal.
It is learnt that Kalaj would get a house under the Government scheme – however, as the process is time taking, local administration and people would construct a makeshift tin-made arrangement so that the family can have a decent night stay, sources said.
# Rajkumar Das may be contacted at rajkumarpatrika@gmail.com