Her Father Drank Pesticide, Said Sorry Before he Died

Hyderabad: The eyes of 12-year-old Vinoda well up with tears each time she recalls how her father said sorry to her before he died. A cotton farmer in Telangana's Medak district, Balanarasaiah had drunk pesticide last month, leaving behind his two children, his mother and a debt of Rs 3 lakh.

Now their grandmother Lakshmi is desperately worried that the children will be taken away by the loan sharks to work as bonded labourers.

"There were just too many loans to repay... That is why my father died,'' said Vinoda, recalling how her father had wanted her to do well in studies. "He never sent us to work. He told us, 'you go to school','' she said, recalling the good times before her mother died.

Balanarsaiah's wife's death last year had left him guilt-ridden. They had been unable to afford proper treatment for her. And then came the drought, taking away his hopes of saving the standing cotton crop on his one-and-a-half-acre plot.

The family has got no help from the government so far - despite a police case that said Balanarsaiah's death was suicide. It was a blow for Lakshmi, who had hoped to send Vinoda and his brother Naveen to a hostel far from their village - Thimmapur -- where they could be safe and have a future.

Advertisement

"They will be away from me. They are already orphaned. But what is the choice I have? I will visit them whenever possible and hope they continue to study,'' she said.

Once a playful boy, Naveen is now silent, virtually a recluse. "When my mother was alive, she did everything for us. Now we have to manage ourselves,'' he said, staring at her photograph.

Advertisement

Here's how you can help:

Name : Naveen Kyasaram
A/c No: 20291918483
Bank: STATE BANK OF INDIA
Address: DIST MEDAK ANDHRA PRADESH 502278
State: ANDHRA PRADESH
District: MEDAK
Branch: GAJWEL ADB
Contact: IP 901483, 08454-232347, 232431
IFSC Code: SBIN0006221 (used for RTGS, IMPS and NEFT transactions)
Branch Code: Last six characters of IFSC Code represent Branch code.
MICR Code: 502002278

Advertisement

Note: This information has been provided/published on a good faith basis, without any commercial motive. NDTV does not vouch for the authenticity of the claims made by the intending donee, nor can we guarantee that the donations made by a donor will be used for the purpose as stated by the intending donee. You are requested to independently verify the contact information and other details before making a donation. NDTV and/or its employees will not be responsible for the same.