Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Dec 24: Udupi district is known as the district of literates and intellectuals. It is ahead in development and has won several awards. It is identified at national level as clean open defecation free district. But there are several poor families living in Manchi colony, Alevoor in pitiful and pathetic conditions facing scarcity of water and electricity. A picture of poverty and helplessness can be seen here. Government officials who came here once did not come back.

The family of Bhasker with six members is living in a hut on red stone hill provided by Adivasi development department. They belong to tribal community. Bhasker couple has six children. All of them are small except a daughter. The family does not have ration card or electricity connection. Though there is gas, it cannot be used. Toilet is not seen there. Though their relatives are staying close by, they are not allowing the family to stay there even for short period. The family is too weak to level the land and construct a house.

Bhasker works on daily wages. As what he earns is not sufficient for the family, his son has stopped his education at eighth standard to work. Two children are going to school. His daughter met with a fire accident in the hut when she was one month old infant. She has studied till eighth standard and stopped studies. She says that she will continue studies only after their house is raised.

An aged woman Appi is staying alone in the colony. She has four children. One daughter is married. One son is staying separately with his family. The youngest son is not able to work as he is suffering from shoulder pain since the last seven years. Though they had come from Bantakallu to stay here six months ago, they do not have identity cards. The officials are pushing days saying that their ration card will be sent by post though they had applied it one year ago. The house constructed in 1993 is in dilapidated condition. They do not have Aadhaar card. Appi crawls due to leg pain. They sleep hungry often. Their electricity is cut off as they could not pay the bill.

There are several other families facing the plight. Concerned government department should act and provide basic necessities to them.