A Scheduled Caste family comprising three women members, two of them mentally-retarded, lives in Dorada village, about three km from here.
Mother Kuanri Das (57), who is a widow, is a mentally-challenged along with her elder daughter Amari Das (20). Only her youngest daughter Jayanti Das (17) is normal who has passed matriculation this year despite all odds, including the excruciating poverty.
She had aspired to get a seat in a college for higher studies, but it was not possible because of her low marks. When this correspondent reached at their house, he saw them living in a thatched house made up of dried twigs with muddy floors and walls. Two goats were sleeping with them in the same house.
Youngest daughter Jayanti told that her family was getting PDS rice of 35kg per month — 25 kg for being a BPl family and 10 kg extra for her mother being mentally challenged. She also said that funds had been sanctioned in their favour for constructing a house under IAY, but they were misappropriated by some middlemen in the village. She revealed that they are getting free electricity to light a bulb in the hut under the Biju Jyoti plan. Except this, there are no other aids, told Jayanti. She said that Dal and curry were a dream for them. Only leafy vegetables support their rice, be it lunch or dinner.
She wished she could get a seat in a college for her higher studies but financial constraint was the main stumbling block. At the same time, she resolved that she would try her best to secure good marks if given a chance to take up higher education. She also expressed her desire to get a job and live with dignity in society.
Since Cuttack Collector Girish SN has won President’s award recently for his best support to the causes of the disabled, the distressed girl is hopeful that her case would also attract his attention and Government assistance would come her way to fulfil her cherished goal.