A familys hope goes up in smoke

SANGAREDDY: Bhoolakshmi swelled with pride every time her son Ravinder’s photo appeared in newspapers, but little did she anticipate that he would kill himself.Ravinder, an ITI student, was an active participant in Telangana movement.“When he was planning to participate in the relay hunger strike at Jogipet, I tried draw his attention towards family responsibilities,” Bhoolakshmi said.Ravinder reportedly shared his thoughts with his brother 15 days before committing suicide, but the latter never imagined that he would really do it. Ravinder, alias Raju, did set himself afire on October 1 last year at Jogipet demanding separate Telangana.Ravinder’s father died when he was in class II. He and his brother grew up doing part-time jobs in grocery stores and as newspaper boys to earn money for their studies and help their mother.Ravinder’s brother settled in Hyderabad doing petty jobs. Ravinder too moved to the capital to join ITI and the agitation on Osmania University campus caught his imagination.After Ravinder died, a couple of politicians paid a formal visit to the family twice and promised financial support to Bhoolakshmi, but never turned up again. One Rahul, nonetheless, handed over a cheque for Rs 5,000 to her.Yadagiri, a relative of Ravinder, says no political party is truly committed to the cause of Telangana, apart from offering condolences to the bereaved families.Harish Kumar, an eye-witness to Ravinder’s death, recalls the day when his friend took the extreme step.Ravinder thought if he sacrifices his life, political leaders would back his family.But, it proved to be wishful thinking, he said. Now, Bhoolakshmi gets Rs 200 per month widow pension.The family managed to buy a small plot sometime ago, but no money to build even a shelter. She lives in a rented room.A PROMISE BROKENYadagiri of Muslapur in Allahdurgam mandal, a degree student, committed suicide by consuming pesticide on February 19 last year. In his dying declaration, he urged TRS leaders to look after his family.Harish Rao visited Yadagiri’s mother Ratnamma and handed over Rs 10,000 and offered her help anytime. But it remained just a promise.Ratnamma is now eking out a living as a woodworker.