The Mekra panchayat in Mokama, Bihar, is the scene of a heart-wrenching situation. Two young siblings, Shivam (9) and Shivani (7), are struggling to survive after the death of their parents. They are now essentially homeless, wandering from place to place in search of assistance.
The children’s mother, Sanjula Devi, passed away two years ago during childbirth, and their father, Dukhhharan Rai, died last year due to illness. Following their parents’ deaths, the children were left with no support.
Initially, their uncle, Nepali Kumar, tried to care for them, but he was unable to maintain support for them due to financial problems. Now, the children are without a stable home, with Shivani staying at relatives’ homes.
The relatives have ceased providing support. Shivani has returned to her uncle’s care. Shivam, a fourth-grade student, is now out of school and assisting his impoverished uncle with work to make a living.
The children’s uncle states that they are not receiving any government help. He has been trying to secure their parents’ death certificates, but has encountered bureaucratic obstacles. Officials have assured him that the death certificates will be issued swiftly. Furthermore, the child protection department is expected to be notified to ensure the children can benefit from government programs.
