Overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotions over the tragic story of 10-month-old Nitika Kumari from Talwara village of Parwara panchayat in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, the administration has opened two bank accounts in her name.
She had lost her father on the midnight of June 30 when her village faced the rain fury. Her mother and grandmother are still missing.
“The people’s response to help her has been heartening. The district administration has opened two accounts in her name — one in the state cooperative bank, and the other in a nationalised bank. While she is still with her relatives, government agencies are doing their best to take care of her. She is in safe hands,” Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan told The Indian Express over the phone. “The accounts are pledged to the Mandi District Child Protection Officer (DCPO).”
As water had started entering Nitika’s house following a cloudburst on the midnight of June 30, her father Ramesh Kumar, 31, ran outside to divert the water flow. Her mother Radha Devi, 24, and grandmother Purnu Devi, 59, followed him. But none of them returned. Ramesh’s body was found the next day.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Balwant Thakur, a cousin of Ramesh, said: “Nitika will be 11 months old in a few days. Tomorrow is her father’s dharm shanti.” Sixty-year-old Balwant was a personal security officer of former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur.
Balh Sub-Divisional Magistrate Samritika Thakur Negi has advertised the bank details on facebook. “These are pledged accounts. That means money cannot be withdrawn until she attains the age of 18,” Negi told The Indian Express.
