Pratapgarh:
The tragic death of 63 people mostly women and children in a stampede at Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday brings to light not just the pain of losing their loved ones, but the conditions that they live in. (Read & Watch: At least 63 dead in stampede at UP ashram)
Crushed to death at the gates of an ashram. These poor villagers had gone to collect food and alms. Everyone has lost someone. (In Pics: UP ashram stampede)
In every home scenes of mourning can be witnessed.
Bimla Devi saw two daughters, aged 8 and 12, crushed to death in front of her eyes. She could not drag them out as she too was struggling under a pile of bodies. "I carried her with my own hands to the hospital. I will never go back to the ashram again," says mother of the victim, Bimla Devi.
A stone's throw away, five members of Karedin's family had gone to the ashram. Only four have returned.
Karedin, husband of the victim says, "I blame poverty and bad luck for this tragedy. Maharajji has nothing to do with it."
Village after village, it's the same story. Already buried in poverty these families are now struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones in the stampede. Twenty-six mothers died and 37 children also lost their lives. This really makes you wonder whether this was just a tragic accident or is this price you pay for being poor.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to families of those who died in ashram stampede on Thursday. (Read: PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia)
Crushed to death at the gates of an ashram. These poor villagers had gone to collect food and alms. Everyone has lost someone. (In Pics: UP ashram stampede)
In every home scenes of mourning can be witnessed.
Bimla Devi saw two daughters, aged 8 and 12, crushed to death in front of her eyes. She could not drag them out as she too was struggling under a pile of bodies. "I carried her with my own hands to the hospital. I will never go back to the ashram again," says mother of the victim, Bimla Devi.
A stone's throw away, five members of Karedin's family had gone to the ashram. Only four have returned.
Karedin, husband of the victim says, "I blame poverty and bad luck for this tragedy. Maharajji has nothing to do with it."
Village after village, it's the same story. Already buried in poverty these families are now struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones in the stampede. Twenty-six mothers died and 37 children also lost their lives. This really makes you wonder whether this was just a tragic accident or is this price you pay for being poor.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to families of those who died in ashram stampede on Thursday. (Read: PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia)
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