Beyond Adversity, 13-Year-Old Minor Orphaned Assam Girl Takes Responsibility Of Brothers

The 13 year old minor, Papuli had to take up the responsibility of her two little brothers as their guardian since she lost her father at an early age. By taking up this responsibility of being a guardian, the 'right to education' was a distant dream for her.

Talking to the media which discovered this story of the braveheart aches the heart of every reader as she narrates her story saying, "I sometimes work in a paddy field, I earn Rs 250/- per day. I can take care of my little brothers. After my mother died sometimes my brothers are scared at night but I am not. I don't like to take free money. I prefer to work for the money."

It may be mentioned that Papuli lost her father when she was very young and had to take over the responsibility of running the home as well as taking care of her two brothers and a sick mother.

What's more a pity is that, during this process she even had to drop out of her school as this little girl was the only earning member of the family.

According to local residents, Papuli lost her father three years back and soon after this tragic loss, her mother was also diagnosed with cancer.

Adding to her miseries further, Papuli also lost her mother weeks ago to cancer and now the girl, who is a minor herself has became the only guardian of her kid brothers.

Following reports in the media, Assam Social welfare Minister offered her and her kid brothers some support from the state government policies.

A neighbor lamenting on the plight of these children said, "We have tried to help as much as we could, but they need proper support from the government. They just don't want to be separated. They have repeatedly requested not to separate them for adoption."

Amidst such adverse conditions, the little girl with a smile on her face and hope within the heart said, "I was studying in class 7 and had to left school to take care of my sick mother. I cook and take care of my brothers. One of my brothers is studying in class 5 and another one is four years old. I wish we all can study and have proper food."

State social Welfare Minister Ajanta Neog in a Facebook post said that, "Assam govt will take all responsibility of these kids and they will soon be able to go to school, continue study without any other worry."

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Jorhat district council Pranab Kumar Borah along with a team has already met the children in their dilapidated house and has handed forward an amount of Rs. 25,000 under the NFBS scheme to the children.

Borah talking to the media further stated that, a bank account for the children have already been initiated for, where they can receive future funds. The local Panchayat secretary has also been instructed to provide them drinking water facility in their residence.