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NDTV
14-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Aunt To Raise Infant Orphaned By Himachal's Mandi Cloudburst Tragedy
Shimla: Ten months old Neetika, who lost her parents in the flash floods triggered by the recent cloudburst in Mandi district, will now be raised by her father's younger sister. The infant was orphaned after a cloudburst struck Talwara village of Parwara panchayat in Mandi district on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1. Her father Ramesh (31) died, while her mother Radha Devi (24) and grandmother Purnu Devi (59) are still missing. On the tragic night, Ramesh had stepped out to divert the flow of water entering the house, while his wife and mother followed to help. They never returned. Their neighbour Prem Singh found the infant crying alone in the house and informed Balwant, a cousin of Ramesh who worked as a personal security officer for former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur. After the 'Shudi' ceremony was performed on the 13th day of the family's death, the relatives decided that Neetika will be raised by her aunt Kirna Devi, who already has a son and lives in Shikauri village, about 20 kilometres away from Talwara village, Balwant told PTI on Monday. He said several people across the country and abroad had expressed willingness to adopt Neetika after hearing of the tragedy. "We are thankful to them. But we feel emotional and cannot give the only surviving member of the family for adoption," Balwant said. Earlier, Ramesh's elder sister Tara Devi had taken the child under her care. But later on Sunday it was decided that Kirna Devi would raise Neetika, after she insisted that her village has a conducive atmosphere for the child's education. The child was also offered admission in Sainik School after Class 6, Balwant added. With several people coming forward to help the infant, two bank accounts were opened in her name in the Himachal Co-operative Bank and Punjab National Bank. The money deposited in these accounts will be reserved for her education and she can access it when she turns 18, officials said. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur visited Neetika on Saturday and enquired about her well-being. He has urged the state government to provide her benefits under the Chief Minister's Sukh Aashray Yojana. Under this scheme, the state government offers comprehensive care to thousands of orphans and destitute children -- designated as 'children of the state -- effectively acting as their guardian. Meanwhile, search operations are still underway to trace 27 people who were washed away after 10 cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides destroyed in various parts of Mandi district on June 30 night. Around 15 people had died in the tragedy.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Aunt to raise 10-month-old infant orphaned by Mandi cloudburst
Shimla, Ten months old Neetika, who lost her parents in the flash floods triggered by the recent cloudburst in Mandi district, will now be raised by her father's younger sister. Aunt to raise 10-month-old infant orphaned by Mandi cloudburst The infant was orphaned after a cloudburst struck Talwara village of Parwara panchayat in Mandi district on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1. Her father Ramesh died, while her mother Radha Devi and grandmother Purnu Devi are still missing. On the tragic night, Ramesh had stepped out to divert the flow of water entering the house, while his wife and mother followed to help. They never returned. Their neighbour Prem Singh found the infant crying alone in the house and informed Balwant, a cousin of Ramesh who worked as a personal security officer for former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur. After the 'Shudi' ceremony was performed on the 13th day of the family's death, the relatives decided that Neetika will be raised by her aunt Kirna Devi, who already has a son and lives in Shikauri village, about 20 kilometres away from Talwara village, Balwant told PTI on Monday. He said several people across the country and abroad had expressed willingness to adopt Neetika after hearing of the tragedy. "We are thankful to them. But we feel emotional and cannot give the only surviving member of the family for adoption," Balwant said. Earlier, Ramesh's elder sister Tara Devi had taken the child under her care. But later on Sunday it was decided that Kirna Devi would raise Neetika, after she insisted that her village has a conducive atmosphere for the child's education. The child was also offered admission in Sainik School after Class 6, Balwant added. With several people coming forward to help the infant, two bank accounts were opened in her name in the Himachal Co-operative Bank and Punjab National Bank. The money deposited in these accounts will be reserved for her education and she can access it when she turns 18, officials said. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur visited Neetika on Saturday and enquired about her well-being. He has urged the state government to provide her benefits under the Chief Minister's Sukh Aashray Yojana. Under this scheme, the state government offers comprehensive care to thousands of orphans and destitute children designated as 'children of the state effectively acting as their guardian. Meanwhile, search operations are still underway to trace 27 people who were washed away after 10 cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides wreaked havoc in various parts of Mandi district on June 30 night. Around 15 people had died in the tragedy. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Orphaned in Mandi's flash flood, 10-month-old Neetika finds a mother in her aunt
Neetika, a 10-month-old infant who lost her family in a cloudburst that struck the Mandi district on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1, was taken in by her aunt, officials said on Saturday. Ten cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides wreaked havoc in various parts of Mandi.(HT Photo) Many people from across the country and abroad expressed their willingness to adopt Neetika; however, her father's sister has taken the child under her care, Balh Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Samritika Negi said. Tara Devi, the aunt, called Neetika her "daughter" and ruled out any option of giving her up for adoption, officials said. The infant's father, Ramesh Kumar (31), was trying to block the flow of water gushing into their home when the cloudburst occurred. His body was later found in the debris. Neetika's mother, Radha Devi (24), and grandmother, Purnu Devi (59), went out to search for Ramesh but have yet to be located. Prem Singh, the family's neighbour, spotted the crying infant all alone and took her to Ramesh's cousin, Balwant, a personal security officer for former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur. The sub-divisional magistrate, who received numerous calls from people wanting to help after hearing about the tragedy, initiated the opening of a bank account in Neetika's name. Negi further informed that two bank accounts were opened in the Himachal Co-operative and the Punjab National Bank for Neetika. The money deposited in these accounts will be preserved for her education, which she can access when she turns 18. Currently, Neetika is with her relatives, and government agencies are making every effort to ensure her well-being, officials added. Thakur visited Neetika's home on Saturday to enquire about her condition. He mentioned that an NGO proposed to take responsibility for her education, and the child's family will make the final decision on this matter. Thakur highlighted that although there have been many incidents of loss of life and property due to the rains, the case of a little girl losing her family is particularly heart-wrenching. He urged the state government to fulfil its obligation and provide benefits under the Chief Minister Sukh Aashray Yojana for the child. Under the Sukh Aashray Yojana, the government offers comprehensive care to thousands of orphans and destitute children across the state, effectively acting as their guardian. These children have been designated as 'Children of the State.' Meanwhile, search operations are still underway to trace the 27 who were washed away after 10 cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides wreaked havoc in various parts of Mandi on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1 and resulted in the deaths of 15 people.
