13-Year-Old Boy In UP Is Determined To Raise Younger Siblings After Losing Parents To Covid

The severe second wave of COVID-19 devastated families across India leaving thousands of children orphaned.

Many children in the country are contending with the difficult reality that is irreparable: The loss of a parent from coronavirus. It is hard to imagine what these so-called "COVID orphans" must be going through.

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While grief might seem insurmountable, many are trying to overcome the tragedy to honour their parents. For three siblings in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli, who lost every loved one bringing them up - the reality seems different.

Samarpit, 13, Meena, 12, and Shankar, 11, from Lisadh village, suddenly find themselves all alone. In a year, they have lost their father, mother, and both grandparents.

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According to a report in Times Of India citing district official, under the new government scheme the financial assistance will be arranged, but the children will continue to live alone in their house in Lisadh with a relative checking in on them, from time to time.

Saddened, their lives upended, Samarpit, just a teenager himself, said he will step up and raise his siblings.

Also read: How Organisations & Individuals Are Helping Children Who Lost Both Parents To COVID

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¡°Tragedy has befallen us. But we are dealing with it together. I will try my best that my siblings¡¯ education is not impeded. I will work hard and look after them,¡± Samarpit told TOI.

The villagers they have known and grown up around have been in touch with the district administration to secure their future. ¡°All four elders of the family are gone. These little kids have been orphaned. We appeal to the government to take care of these children until they become adults,¡± Shyam Singh, a local, told TOI.