Orphaned kids of Bastari recall rakhi festivities with parents

BD Kasniyal

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Pithoragarh, August 18

Raksha Bandhan that was celebrated across the region today was a somber occasion for orphaned children of Bastari village. As many as 21 residents of the village were killed in a landslide disaster triggered by heavy rains on June 30.

Aman and Piyush, children of Chardrakala and Chanshekhar Bhatt, who died in the natural disaster on June 30, say dejectedly that they always celebrated Raksha Bandhan enthusiastically. Their mother used to prepare various delicacies on the festival till last year while his father used to buy rakhis from a nearby market. “Without the presence of our parents, there is no meaning of celebrating rakhi,” says Aman.

After the death of their parents, the children, who study in class IV and I, respectively, are now living with their grandfather Damodar Bhatt. “Children keep weeping as miss their parents who died in the disaster. I feel helpless,” says Damodar in a choked voice.

Another orphaned siblings Manoj and Mamta, children of Indu and Jagdish Bhatt of Bastari village, start sobbing when asked about how they celebrated rakhi till last year. “Our parents used to prepare for Raksha Bandhan as it is the time to change Janeu (sacred thread worn by Hindus). We used to go to the nearby market at Singhali to buy rakhis and on return, our parents used to welcome us with specially prepared delicacies and prasad. But our family has been destroyed. The festival has no meaning for us now,” says Manoj.

Villagers say that they are trying their best to console the orphaned children by ensuring them that the entire village was with them to share their pains. “Not only these families of orphaned children but also of other 20 affected households, which lost one or two members, are in deep pain,” says Shankar Datt, a social worker.