191 children in Haveri have had a parent snatched by pandemic

HAVERI: The steep fatality rate for Covid-19 in Haveri district – at 2.7%, it is the highest in North Karnataka – is more than a mere disturbing statistic. Of the 590 people who have succumbed to the infection across the district, many have left behind children poorer by one parent – in Haveri, there are as many as 191 such kids who have lost either their mother or father to the pandemic.
In many such cases, the loss of a parent has, in addition to leaving the children inconsolable, added to the financial responsibilities of the surviving parent. Consequently, these surviving parents find themselves in the unenviable position of having to shoulder the burden of fending for the family, while ensuring that the children continue their studies.
Sources privy to the problems of these bereaved families said that the loss of one parent had resulted in many of the children being forced into the care of relatives and friends. “In the case of families where the father was the sole breadwinner and the mother a homemaker, the children could always rely on the latter for affection and care. The loss of one parent means that the other will not only have to eke out a living for the family, but tend to the kids as well,” a source said.
Savitri Badiger from Narayanpur village in Shiggavi taluk, who lost her husband Mahesh, a carpenter to Covid, has now been left with the onerous responsibility of sustaining a family comprising her father, mother-in-law and two children, both of whom are under the age of six. “Now, in addition to taking care of them, I have to go out and work to put food on the table,” Savitri said.
Basavaraj Idaramani, a farmer, was disconsolate when his wife, Shobha succumbed to Covid, leaving to his care their two blind children. “Shobha looked after the kids while I worked on the fields. But now, it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to work on the farm since I have to dedicate my time to the children,” he said.
Officer at the Haveri district child protection centre Mallikarjun Matad admitted to 191 children – 90 boys and 101 girls – having lost at least one parent to Covid-19.
Outlining the measures being taken by the government to secure their wellbeing, Matad said, “The state government will donate a sum of Rs 1,000 for 36 months for children who have lost one parent, besides offering all possible support for their education and healthcare. Many philanthropists have also volunteered to help alleviate the plight of these children and their families.”