Kailashahar, Feb 19: A resident of Chandipur Gram Panchayat’s Ward No. 5, Champa Debi has been struggling to support her family since her husband, Dipu Das, passed away in 2018. Left with two children, 21-year-old Pallavi and 17-year-old Dipak, Champa earns an inadequate income by sorting and selling small fish at Kailashahar’s fish market. Despite her efforts, the family lives in a crumbling house which is even lacking basic amenities.

During a media interaction on Wednesday Champa tearfully shared, “My daughter wanted to become a nurse, but poverty crushed her dreams. I don’t know if anyone will ever help us.” Champa stated that despite being eligible for government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and BPL cards, she receives only a monthly widow pension of Rs. 2,000. Local panchayat officials have given assurances but no tangible support, she added.

She also said that as the sole breadwinner, she barely makes ends meet. Her daughter Pallavi, who scored 57% in higher secondary exams, had to drop out of college due to financial constraints. Her son Dipak, who passed the eighth grade, also left school to help his mother sell fish.