Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Sep 30: Two families, who had arrived from Vijayapura district during the time of Paduperara annual festival near Bajpe, are stranded since seven months and are dependent on generating income through giant wheels.

The two families of nine members including three children had come to Paduperara in the month of March. Since then, they are stranded at Bajpe and unable to reach their hometown.

The main income source of the families is through entertaining people during the festivals by installing amusement materials such giant wheels. But due to the ongoing pandemic, festival celebrations are almost at complete halt with zero business. Having left with no choice, they are stranded at Bajpe, not being able to reach their home town as they do not have enough money.

Returning back with their possessions of amusement materials could cost them up to Rs 90,000 as they would need at least three lorries and each lorry would could up to Rs 30,000.

During the Paduperara festival, they had managed to earn only for a day after which the lockdown was imposed that pushed them into a pathetic state. They started living near Paduperara temple. Later, the gram panchayat made arrangements on the ground opposite to the panchayat office.

Speaking to Daijiworld.com, one of the family members Kasturabai said, "We have incurred heavy losses during this corona pandemic. We have no festivals happening around and this is the only source of income for us. I am always grateful to the people of Bajpe and neighbouring areas here who generously helped us providing ration and water and all other kinds of requirements. We are waiting desperately to go to our hometown for seven months. We are staying at Paduperara in Bajpe as we do not have enough money to go back to our hometown. We need close to Rs 90,000 to transport these amusement materials to our hometown."