Migrant laborers run over by train in Aurangabad, Maharashtra

The entire nation is traumatized at the shocking demise of 16 laborers in Aurangabad, Maharashtra in a train accident.

Such tragic deaths are beyond anybody’s expectation, especially of the poor and hapless starving working class during the worst pandemic phase losing their employment and finally meeting the sad end by being mercilessly crushed under the running train. However, sounds more stunningly shocking that while these migrant workers were heading for their respective home towns on foot in the hope to survive, while the country was in lockdown leading to losing their employments and becoming penniless – their destiny still had a most tragic end in store, for them.

What a tragedy that those who were already reeling under unbearable hardships due to unemployment and abject poverty walking on foot, hundreds of kilometres to reach their homes, while starving, even the God or destiny brought such a dastardly end for all of them, while sleeping on railway tracks. However, sorry to say that the state government of Maharashtra has tried to apply balm on their respective shattered families’ grievous wounds by announcing merely five lakh rupees as financial compensation for each of the deceased. May the Almighty give peace to the pious souls and enough strength to their families to bear this most irreparable loss.

My heart goes to the bereaved families at this critical juncture. My deepest condolences and richest tributes. RIP. Vinmr shradhanjali.

Uttarakhand Journalists Forum