Bhanu, 13, has been forced to work in the fields after his father, a farmer, committed suicide
After NDTV highlighted the plight of two minor orphaned children in Telangana's Medak, forced into manual labour after their debt-ridden father committed suicide, the state government has stepped in, announcing an "immediate" compensation of Rs one lakh for the family.
13-year-old Bhanu and 12-year-old Vijayalakshmi were forced to work as daily wage labourers - picking cotton or clearing weed - after their father, Laxminarayana, hanged himself two months ago. Both his cotton and paddy crop had failed and lenders were allegedly threatening to take his children away. Left behind with a Rs 3 lakh debt incurred by their father, the brother-sister duo have since lived in fear.
"There is nothing in the house, even to eat. But they (lenders) are coming and putting a lot of pressure on us... We get scared," said Bhanu, who just completed Class 7.
Their maternal grandmother, Bharathamma, who came to stay with the children after they lost their mother to an illness two years ago, said, "I am begging to feed my grandchildren. I am not young or healthy to get work and feed them."
A group of 60 women, who call themselves "Gurgaon Moms", has now offered to help the family by contributing Rs 5,000 each, which would effectively help clear the entire debt of Rs three lakh.
After the NDTV report aired, the eldest of the three children, 18-year-old Bhaskar got a call from district officials, saying he would be handed Rs one lakh in cheque at the earliest. Alternatively, the family could be given buffaloes, cattle or goats against the money to earn a livelihood. Additionally, Rs 50,000 will be given to help settle all outstanding loans. This will be done through a 3-member committee of government officials.
Bhaskar, who has just written his Class 12 exam, says he is unsure if he would be able to continue with his education since the responsibility of feeding his family now lies with him on him. But he is determined to send his siblings to school. "Let them at least study and find some jobs," he said.
Here's how you can help:Children's names - Bhaskar, Bhanu and Vijayalakshmi
C/O - Bharathamma Jalani
Address: 8-122/2, Beedi Colony, Gajwel, Medak district, Telangana, India
A bank account in the name of the grandmother at State Bank of India, Gajwel branch
SBI A/C: 31893599811
CISF no: 86113372892
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