In the Mekra panchayat of Mokama, Bihar, two young siblings, 9-year-old Shivam and 7-year-old Shivani, are facing immense hardship. After the loss of their parents, they have been left to fend for themselves. Initially, their uncle took on their care, but due to financial constraints, he could no longer provide for them. The children have been moving between relatives, but they have not found a stable home or support.
Their mother, Sanjula Devi, passed away during childbirth two years ago. Their father, Dukhhharan Rai, died last year due to illness. With no parents and no support, the children are struggling to survive. They are deprived of basic necessities.
Their uncle, Nepali Kumar, initially tried to support them through manual labor, but he too became unable to cope. Now, the children are without a permanent home, with Shivani moving from relative to relative.
Reports indicate that relatives have withdrawn their support. Shivani has returned to her uncle’s care. Meanwhile, Shivam, a fourth-grade student, is no longer attending school and is assisting his impoverished uncle with work to earn a living.
The children’s uncle states that they are not receiving any government assistance. He has been trying to obtain their parents’ death certificates but has been facing bureaucratic hurdles. Officials have promised to expedite the issuance of the death certificates and to inform the child protection department so that the children can benefit from government schemes.