KERI: The unplastered Gaonkar house in Sattari’s tribal village of Kankire, is enveloped in a subdued atmosphere. Gopal Gaonkar, 19, is still coming to terms with the sudden death of his mother Jayanti Gaonkar, who was killed in a
bison attack on June 6.
Jayanti was the breadwinner after her husband died in 2004 and with her demise, Gopal will have big shoes to fill. Finding a job would mean giving up plans to pursue his BCom in Zantye College,
Bicholim, to which he is already admitted. He is willing to do this if the forest department can find a position for him.
After all, he must ensure that his two younger brothers and grandmother are taken care of. Akshay, 17, studies at ITI,
Honda, whereas 15-year-old Ajay is studying in Class VIII in the Government School at Guleli. For the time being, neighbours are pitching in and making sure the grieving family is fed and can make ends meet.
Gopal told TOI, “The vacuum created by the loss of our mother will never be filled. If the forest department gives me employment, I will be in a position to take care of my family and help my brothers complete their education.”
Kankire, a mining-affected village on the left
bank River
Ragada, is home to a large population of tribals who once made a living by tilling the land. Today, jobs are scarce. Their livelihoods have been badly hit by the mining activities and its consequent halt.
Soyaru Gaonkar, the 79-year-old grandmother, is keen to see Gopal in a secure job, “The government should help my elder grandson so that he can help me and his brothers. We are hoping for government compensation which will bring us relief for a short period at least.”
Deputy conservator of forests of
North Goa Kuldip Sharma who visited the affected family said, “The postmortem report has confirmed that Jayanti died in the bison attack. We are in the process of providing entitled compensation to the family as early as possible.”
Jayanti was the sole breadwinner after her husband died in 2004