Kolkata: We all know that no other state in India has as many types of minerals, as that we get in Jharkhand. But do you know that the governments of mineral rich state could not run free ambulance service—108, which is operational in 19 states of India, even after 17 years of its inception?
Also, you must be aware that the fact that Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the son of a farmer. But you may not have an idea about the fact that in the native place of CM, several farmers are committing suicides and those alive, are leading a horrible life. Some farmers have to use humans in place of animals for farming.
On Sunday morning, one Rajendra Uraon, a resident of Sidpa village in Tandwa block of Chatra district, was bit by a snake on Saturday night, reached Sadar Hospital, only to be declared dead in the afternoon, after getting some initial treatment.
Rajendra was accompanied by his wife Sunita Devi, brother Laxman Uraon and sister in law (Bhabhi) Sita Devi. Sita was carrying a small kid also on her back.
After the death of Rajendra, the family requested the hospital authorities for an ambulance. However, they demanded Rs 4000 to drop off Rajendra’s body at his village. The family, unable to pay and decided to take the body on their own.
Using a towel to cover the face of the corpse, his brother Laxman held the corpse by its head, while Sita Devi held it by its legs, despite carrying an infant on her back. Rajendra’s widow Sunita walked behind him, crying.
They had walked almost 200 meters, when some people stopped them to know what the issue was. Following which, they called the local media and also informed, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nandkishore Lal. SDM contacted Sadar Hospital authorities and reprimanded them for their inhuman behavior. Later, ambulance was arranged and the corpse was sent to Sidpa village.
In most of the districts of Jharkhand, healthcare facilities are in shambles and ambulance play a major role in shifting critical patients, but as government has no such free service, private operators are running a business out of it.
Ten months back, image of Dana Manjhi, a tribal carrying his wife’s corpse on his shoulder in Orissa had moved the world, but it seems, many has to undergo the ordeal because of the pathetic health service in Jharkhand too.
But, for Sardar Barela, a farmer of Basantpur Pangri village, in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh, his difficulty did not come for one time. The father, because of lack of money has been using two of his minor daughters to plough corps for the past three years. He simply cannot afford to buy a pair of oxen.
Sunday also, he was using his 14-year-old daughter Radha and 11-year-old Kunti in place of ox, when a few journalists spotted them. Both used to study in school but had to drop, because of lack of money and since then have been helping their father to plough the field.
When matter come to fore, District Collector Tarun Kumar sent a team to the village and assured for all kind of help to family, so the girls should not leave discontinue her education and work in the field in such a manner.
But, the two incidents, from Jharkhand to Madhya Pradesh, highlight a stark reality, that the poor in India are still being ignored by the policy makers.
