COVID19
News
1 MIN READ
Due to the closed border, a migrant worker is unable to fulfill his funeral duties upon his mother’s death
Basudev Bhatta, a migrant worker, shares his condition as he is forced to mourn the death of his mother in quarantine across the border. As told to Kiran Dhami.
My name is Basudev Bhatta. I am a resident of Shailyashikhar rural municipality in the district of Darchula. For the last three months, I have been working in road construction at Ghatikhola in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.
On 27 March, we decided to return as we had no more work due to the coronavirus. We weren’t getting paid and it was becoming harder to survive. I arrived along with several others on 30 March at the border to find that it was already closed. We pleaded with security personnel to let us in but they didn’t listen. We were left stranded without food or water and Indian officials came forward to help only much later. We have been kept in quarantine ever since.
Five days ago, my mother, Gautami Bhatta, died. She was 65 years old and passed away from a heart attack. Her health had been suffering and she was worried about me and my brother who still remains stranded in Bangalore. As soon as I found out about her death, I tried calling people up and requesting authorities to let me cross the border. So far, I have talked to our mayor and ward chairman back home and to many journalists. They said that I would be allowed to return, but I’m still here. I have even filed a complaint on the police helpline. No matter how many times I tried to call the chief district officer, he wouldn’t take my call.
I am the oldest of five brothers. With two of us brothers still in India, only the youngest three are at home to do the final rites. My mother carried me in her womb for nine months and raised me. Today, look at my condition. I couldn’t even mourn my mother’s death properly. Is it not my right to mourn my mother’s death?
I don’t know what to say to a government that doesn’t understand the plight of its citizens. I would like to thank the two-thirds government. Let them thrive and prosper as we suffer.
:::::::::::
Perspectives
6 min read
Following the Gurkha hunger strike aftermath, social media can be a receptive space for young people to engage with grassroots activism like the Gurkha Justice movement.
Features
COVID19
6 min read
A raging pandemic combined with a lockdown can greatly stress mental health. Reduce exposure to the news, eat and drink well, exercise, and seek help if necessary.
Explainers
3 min read
Co-passengers on the flights taken by the latest Covid19 positive patients pose probable risk to public health safety due to the absence of strict quarantine measures imposed by TIA
Interviews
6 min read
The underground Maoist politician talks about his plans for another revolution
Perspectives
7 min read
The current protest is aimed at securing equal pensions for those who retired in the period between the end of the Second World War and 1994.
Interviews
1 min read
Dalit women have to overcome many obstacles in order to lead. The story of Nanumaya Gandarva, an elected Dalit representative from Rambha Rural Municipality, Palpa.
COVID19
News
5 min read
A daily summary of Covid19 related developments that matter
Features
5 min read
Climate change and its consequences can be serious aggravators ofconflict, especially gender-based violence.
