CUTTACK: The world around Tilottama Patra came crashing down this September. Her father Debendra Patra, who wanted her to become a bank officer, died in an accident. Debendra was hit by an autorickshaw while crossing Kathjodi Ring Road near Debi Gada. He left behind a family of five, wife and four daughters. With no financial resources to fall back on, Tilottama took up tuition to run the family. “The earning from tuition is not enough to support the family”, says the 20-year-old, who still aspires to become a bank officer.
Like Tilottama, thousands of families lose their bread-winners to accidents, prompting voices to demand steps by the Government for their rehabilitation.
Odisha Road Accident Victims’ Fund should be created for extending rehabilitation support to the tragedy-hit families, prominent personalities, experts and activists emphasised at a function to mark ‘World Day of remembrance for road traffic victims’, organised by Forum for Prevention of Road Accidents (FPRA) and Brahma Kumaris here on Sunday.
Road accident deaths are on a steep rise. At least 10 people die in road accidents in the State everyday. The figure has gone up from around 3549 deaths in 2009 to nearly 4062 deaths in 2013.
The Government has the wherewithal ensuring rehabilitation of such families. The Odisha Road Safety Society (ORSS) with State Transport Commissioner as its chairperson has more than `10 crore at its disposal. The funds which are being primarily used for awareness programmes and events during observation of Road Safety Week can be used for supporting such needy families, secretary FPRA, Bikash Mohaptra said.
“While the Government has been taking care of the victims of calamities and other disasters, road accident deaths are completely overlooked. Most of the victims are young and bread-winners of their families. Their death has a severe impact on their families robbing them of livelihood and resources for education and health. The social security issues of the families need to be addressed with priority,” Mohapatra said.
Former DGP GC Senapati, DCP Cuttack Sanjeev Arora, District Emergency Officer SS Rout, advocate Pradeep Patnaik and sub-zone director Brahma Kumaris, Rajyogini BK Kamlesh, were present.
Date: November 17, 2014