Audi, e-rickshaw crash: Breadwinners lost in mishap in Jalandhar, kin cope with survival prospects

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, February 2

With the arrest of the car driver in the Audi-e-rickshaw crash that claimed four lives, the families of the deceased agreed to perform their last rites today.

While two of the families took the bodies of their kin, the family of Jagdish Chander said they would perform the last rites tomorrow.

Good Samaritan comes forward

After The Tribune highlighted Govinda’s condition in these columns on Thursday, a Good Samaritan donated Rs 10,000 to the family at the Civil Hospital on Friday.

Meanwhile, the accident has left behind helpless families, deprived of their sole breadwinners, with their kin having to fend for themselves.

Jagdish was an auto driver who wanted to get his three-wheeler repaired and planned to start anew, but the accident cut short his dreams.

‘Left with no options’

My husband had big plans. He spent Rs 25,000 on his auto after it recently developed snags. With earnings from his auto-rickshaw, we could have managed a comfortable life for our 11-year-old son. I am a homemaker and our house ran solely on the earnings of my husband. Now, I am left with no options. Kulwinder Kaur, wife of Jagdish Chander

Govinda, who survived the mishap and is undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital here, was a sofa-maker and lived with his father at Jalandhar. He received some help from his sister Sapna, a make-up artist based in Chandigarh.

While their families expressed satisfaction at the suspect being nabbed, they remained sombre about the prospects of bringing up their respective families with the key bread-winners either dead or ailing.

Kulwinder Kaur, wife of Jagdish Chander, said: “My husband had big plans. He spent Rs 25,000 on his auto after it recently developed snags. With earnings from his auto-rickshaw, we could have managed a comfortable life for our 11-year-old son. I am a homemaker and our house ran solely on the earnings of my husband. Now, I am left with no options. My son was recently admitted to a good school as my husband wanted proper education for him. Now that he is gone, I don’t even know how we will keep the hearth burning.”

Govinda’s sister Sapna said: “My brother made sofas and took up sundry jobs in Jalandhar and its adjoining areas. He was returning from work when the accident took place. My brother and I were also collectively bringing up our two nieces, who had lost their parents. My other sister is married. My brother is still sick and can’t speak coherently yet. We hope for his recovery and monetary help to allow us to bear the expenses of his treatment.”

After The Tribune highlighted Govinda’s condition in these columns yesterday, a Good Samaritan donated Rs 10,000 to the family at the Civil Hospital today.