The Dussehra festivity fails to bring cheer in the face of some ill-fated fire victims who have turned paupers due to an accidental fire that erupted in their villages in April last.
According to some of the fire victims of Andhuli-Basaghar village, as many as 41 Dalit families were rendered homeless and about 90 thatched houses were reduced into ashes in the April fire.
The intensity of the fire was so high that the affected villagers failed to bring their commodities to safety. All the grains stored in the households were destroyed. Many people are yet to construct a thatched house though five months have passed.
Similar is the fate of fire victims of Gadaromita villagers. While remembering the fire mishap that had rendered as many as 42 households homeless, the fire victims stated that about 85 thatched houses were razed and properties worth of over Rs 30 lakh were destroyed.
“We have left the idea of celebrating Dussehra as we are struggling hard to construct a house for us. Despite the fact that the district administration provided Rs 17,700 as fire relief and several kind hearted persons came to our rescue yet the money was not adequate,” said a fire victim.
Celebrating Durga puja festivity in remote villages means wearing new clothes and visiting Durga medha by inviting relatives to house.
Consequently, it involves huge expenses.
The villagers who are unable to arrange two square meals for the family therefore have decided to abstain from merriment. The authorities have not taken cognizance of the damage due to the fire and adequate compensation was not given away.