Coronavirus: Family of Jorhat Labourer Bedridden due to Lung Disease Appeals Govt for Help amid Lockdown

Jorhat, April 11, 2020:

Amid the continuing lockdown implemented to contain the coronavirus, the woes of some of the poorest sections of society have come to light. Today, Inside Northeast brings you the story of one such suffering individual, Simanta Saikia, who hails from the district in Assam.

In North-West Jorhat's Bhaboli Chuk there resides an impoverished family. Simanta Saikia, the patriarch of the family is now bedridden. For more than a year, a disease of the lungs has afflicted this man, who is now dependent on the community folk to arrange medicines for himself and food for the family.

However, the 21-day lockdown was a double whammy as the usually charitable neighbours who were funding his treatment in his time of great distress, are forced to withdraw their generosity as poverty starts sweeping across rural Assam.

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Talking to Inside Northeast, a coughing and sputtering Simanta said, "Water accumulated in my lungs, after which I went to the Sanjeevani hospital for treatment. We had to spend 6,000-10,000 rupees there, a considerable sum seeing the line of work I am in, that of a labourer. There is a problem to continue the course, as I need Rs 1,000 per month for the medicines. Ever since the lockdown, people from the village are unable to help. Even a nearby grocery store where we used to get our supplies, has ceased its charity."

Apart from his wife, Shanti, Simanta has a 6-year-old daughter, Gunjan, who is a class 2 student. The small family told us earlier that all three of them -- husband, wife, and daughter -- are suffering due to the unexpected lockdown.

[caption id="attachment_57017" align="alignnone" width="626"] Simanta's nuclear family[/caption]

Shanti, talking to us, said, "He (Simanta) is in great suffering. When he was working, we had something to live with. Later, the villagers aided us in our times of grief out of the benevolence of their hearts. Earlier (before the lockdown), we were able to able to spread out our hands seeking money and materials. However, now, no one can help us."

His wife further divulged that despite the gravity of the situation, the entire family is still observing the protocols laid down by the Government. "We are following all the guidelines for the coronavirus and staying at home, but because of our impoverished condition, we are suffering more than others. The poor should be helped in times of crisis."

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Simanta's daughter has also implored people for help. "We are suffering for a few days and there is a shortage of food. There is no money to buy papa's medicines either. The people of the village are unable to help. I just want my father to be well once again. We are in a lot of trouble", she told us.

Although locals have extended help to this impoverished family at various times in various ways, the coronavirus lockdown has impacted their lives and brought all three to their knees.

The gist of this gut-wrenching tale is that the family does not have the requisite funds to purchase medicines for the ailing man. Even the locals who used to help the family in distress have been forced to stay indoors for fear of the coronavirus. Since they do not have any income source themselves, they are unable to help Saikia's family either. The question that arises now is: who will help this poor family from Assam?

Note: Simanta Saikia can be reached at 9678752721

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