Life still off track for train tragedy victims

Neha Saini

Tribune News service

Amritsar, December 12

Life is yet to return on the track for victims of the Jora Phatak train tragedy in Amritsar that took 59 lives and left their families bereft of support system on the day of Dussehra. The situation was even more critical for children from families that had lost their sole bread-winners, who now have to choose between pursuing their education and supporting their family by working or taking up a job.

For Deepak, 21, his father Girender Singh and uncle, were among the dead. “Both of them were the only earning members of the families. After their death, the family is facing a financial crisis and the money given as compensation cannot provide for our lifetime. Among my siblings and cousins, I am the eldest and looking for a job to save the families from financial trouble,” says the student of hotel management at the Global Institutes. Deepak wants to continue his studies but also has to support his family, which now includes his uncle’s wife and their three children. Though he was able to pay his fee amounting to Rs 38,000 for this semester with help from IVE Children, Deepak is not sure if he will be able to manage the same for his last semester that remains. “There are many like me and other youngsters who have to leave their studies or compromise on their education to take up jobs,” he says. Coming to their aid, IVE Children, a local NGO working in the slums of Ekta Nagar and adjoining areas for the past several years, has decided to help them pursue their education. “We have been working with the youth in the area to identify more such children, who want to study but have been affected by the train tragedy. We have provided them aid through donations to pay their fee and also look for part-time employment to earn a living. The aim is to help them balance and not drop out of school or college,” said Pearl from IVE Children.

The NGO had also adopted several children in Ekta Nagar slums and is providing for their education and skill development. A lot of youth are being made self-reliant through creative workshops and skill development through collaborations with local entrepreneurs and business houses. “The idea is to give them a skill so that they do not have to find a job, but can support their own career. We are also keeping a tab on the use and misuse of funds that were generated and distributed to the families to ensure that the children receive education,” said Pearl.