Future of my kids looks bleak, says Marathwada farmer Gangubai Dandge

The recent spell of rain might have sorted the issue of drinking water for the state, but for 32-year-old poverty-ridden farmer Gangubai Dandge it has made no difference.

Her problems are plenty and consecutive drought for the past three years in Marathwada has worsened the situation the Sultanpur resident.

Gangubai lost her husband Balu Dandge — who committed suicide by jumping into a well in a neighbouring village — four years ago. Narrating about the incident, she said: "We thought he had gone to answer nature's call. When he did not return we assumed he would have gone to our relative's home to collect some money as money lenders were constantly harassing us. My husband was pretty angry at the situation as he wanted to return the loan amount (Rs 40,000) and live in peace."

She added: "When he did not return home for three days, we got worried. We also went to our relative's home who informed us that my husband never came there. Thus, we started searching for him everywhere. It was only on the fourth day that a villager found his body in a well."

Balu is survived by his wife, parents, three daughters and a son. "The entire burden of running the family came on my shoulders. I did not know what to do and how to run the house. My husband did not like it when people came to our home asking for money. This forced him to take the extreme step," she said.

Gangubai's eldest daughter, Ashwini, got married a year ago, while the other children are still studying. Talking about her daily ordeal, she said: "My father-in-law lost his right leg in an accident so he cannot walk. Besides, my mother-in-law is old so she cannot work. My kids are studying still they help me in the farm or by fetching water or doing household chores."

She worked hard to get her eldest daughter married. "For the wedding, I took a loan of Rs 70,000. Crops are failing and there is no way to make our ends meet. Now, I am worried about repaying the loan amount and the agents have started visiting us. The annual installment is Rs 6,000 but I am in no position to pay the money. We have become a defaulter now. We do not have any money to eat, I don't know how we will pay back the loan," she said.

The state government has promised Rs 1 lakh as compensation for Balu's death. But, even after four years, the family is yet to get the money. "We have submitted all the necessary documents, including the death certificate.

Still, the government is not releasing the money. I am forced to run from pillar to post and still it is not helping the cause. Being the only bread winner, I also have other things to take care of. I can't spend money on travelling to tehsildar's office on a regular basis. I lost my husband and now I am losing all hopes of getting the compensation money," said Gangubai.

After her husband's death, villagers have also stopped helping Gangubai. "No one gives us money. They say "if her husband is not around, how will she pay back the loan?" At the ration shop, we only get 9 kg of foodgrains per month (3 kg per person). Every month we need around Rs 20-25 to buy that foodgrains. But nobody is willing to pay us that money. The future of my kids looks bleak," said the 32-year-old, who owns less than an acre of arid land.

"Due to the dry spell, our crops also failed. The situation has been the same for the past three years. This year was the worse. There has been little rainfall for the past 10 days, but I don't know how much will it help," she concluded.