Bhatinda: As the country battles drought we bring you the story of a farmer from Punjab whose son is sick and with the failed crop this year, he's falling into the vicious cycle of debt and poverty.
Baisakha Singh's crops have failed, his young son is ailing, and he's in debt.
"I've become old, I can't work too much. What can I do? Now it is in the hands of the Almighty. We'll eat whatever we get, whatever we can manage," said Baisakha Singh.
"I am facing problems on two fronts - agriculture and my son's health. What can I do? Now it is in the hand of the Almighty. We need food to eat and money for his medicines. I will work to arrange for it," he said.
A few months ago, this farmer from the Sukhpura village near Barnala was a happy man. His son Kuldeep was earning enough to feed the entire family. But then life changed. Kuldeep was diagnosed with food pipe cancer.
Baisakha has already spent Rs three lakh, and continues to spend Rs 20,000 per month to treat Kuldeep. But his health is not improving. He owes the village money-lender more than Rs one lakh.
"It is there time to rest but they have to work because of my illness. I've had no income for the last year, but we still have to spend the same amount on medicines. I feel I am burden on my elderly parents. I should be feeding them. My father should not have to work at this age. There is no income and crops have failed and on top of it, they are spending on my treatment," said Kuldeep Singh.
Villagers say this year has been the worst in the last seven years.
Meanwhile, there's a similar case next door. Nek Singh, who is 75-year-old, works hard on his field, but the drought has failed him. To add to his woes, his son cannot work because of back problem.
"I will sell off a piece of my land. I have to feed my grandchildren. I have to buy food for them. We have to do this. I can't even die," said Nek Singh.
Malwa belt is one of the most underdeveloped areas of Punjab. Almost every village has got the same agonizing story - vicious cycle of debt, poverty and unpredictable rains. Villagers feel they are children of lesser god.