Berhampur Children Left Orphaned After Mother Perishes in Nayagarh Bus Crash
In a heart-wrenching tragedy, two young siblings from Berhampur have been left orphaned after their mother died in a fatal bus accident in Nayagarh district. The incident has cast a shadow over the Silk City community, highlighting the fragility of life and the profound loss experienced by families.
A Mother's Struggle and Sudden Demise
For 13-year-old Abhijit and his 11-year-old sister Subangi, their world revolved entirely around their mother, Sumati (Sukanti) Sahoo, aged 32. Over the past eight years, Sahoo had been raising her children single-handedly after her husband deserted the family due to a domestic dispute. Residing in Anand Nagar, she worked tirelessly at a private mixer unit to provide for her family, embodying resilience and dedication.
On Friday, after completing her Ram Navami rituals, Sahoo entrusted her children to the care of her mother before embarking on a pilgrimage around 8 PM. Little did they know, this would be the last time they saw her alive. She was aboard a bus that met with a catastrophic accident near Daspalla in Nayagarh district early on Saturday, snuffing out her life and leaving her family in despair.
Children Grapple with an Uncertain Future
Abhijit and Subangi had remained at home due to school exams while their mother joined a group tour to visit various tourist and religious sites across the state. She had promised to return in three days, but instead, the devastating news of her death shattered their hopes. "She had assured us she would return on Monday or Tuesday," recounted Abhijit, a Class VIII student, his voice trembling with grief.
Subangi, a Class V student, poignantly asked, "Who will take care of us and our ailing grandmother now?" The children's future hangs in the balance, as their father has been absent for years. Bidya Sahu, Sahoo's brother, expressed deep concern, stating, "We don't know whether the children's father will take responsibility after such a long gap." This uncertainty adds to the emotional turmoil faced by the young orphans.
Broader Impact of the Tragedy
The bus accident also claimed the lives of L Hari (62) and Laxmi (56), parents of 35-year-old L Santosh Patra from Ashok Nagar. Santosh had personally organized the religious trip, hiring the vehicle for the journey. "They wished to visit several shrines across the state, so I arranged the trip. I never imagined this would be their last wish," said an inconsolable Santosh, grappling with the loss of both his parents.
Like Sahoo, the elderly couple had boarded the bus after completing their Ram Navami rituals on Friday. The group had planned an extensive three-day tour, covering significant religious sites such as:
- Samaleswari temple in Sambalpur
- Hirakud reservoir
- Maa Ghanteswari and Harishankar in Balangir
- Bhim Dunguri and Nrusinghanath Temple in Bargarh
- Maa Tarini in Ghatagaon
- Biraja temple in Jajpur
- Maa Mangala Temple at Kakatpur
- Jagannath Temple in Puri
This tragic event underscores the risks associated with travel during religious pilgrimages and has left multiple families in mourning across Berhampur and beyond.
