Siddharth Taparia retweetledi
Maa, why are you burning neem leaves at this time of the night, there are no mosquitoes, struggling to breathe & coughing vigorously, said a 7 year old to his grandmother….
Beta (son) , I have been sleeping right here next to you and haven’t burnt anything, said Maa, also coughing now.
And as the two are in a perplexed state, the boy’s baba (grandfather) also wakes up vigorously coughing and the boy’s 2.5 year old cousin, also coughing. It is 1:30 am. There is a bit of panic now..
The boy’s grandfather gives a call out to his elder brother (it is a joint family of 26 members living together in 3 homes on the same plot) and to both his sons who are on the floor above.
After some exchanges, the grandfather’s brother informs him that some gas has gotten leaked 4 kms away in a factory and everyone must go inside a closed space for rest of the night. All 4 go on the floor above where rest of the family is and this family unit of 8 (2 traveling) huddles into the only room without a window for rest of the night. Kids get to sleep in the bed while adults sat and got some rest..
Morning comes about and it is school time, the boy and his two cousins get ready for school. The boy walks a kilometer to the bus stop only to wait for 30 mins and while doing so seeing an unusual number of people on the streets for 7 am in the morning and lots of commotion. The boy is then told by someone that the bus won’t be coming today and to go home…
As the boy comes back home, he finds that the school pick up ride for his two cousin’s didn’t come either. The grandfather, a socially active, well respected resident of old Bhopal city is very curious to understand what has happened and to help. He plans to walk towards the main city hospital (Hamidia) and decides to take the 2 older kids along…The boys are curious too..
As the grandfather and the kids reach the hospital, about 30 minutes later, they come across a scene that is unforgettable. There are over 1000 dead bodies in the compound of the Hamidia Hospital with more coming every minute. Some with relatives having identified the deceased, crying and in grief. Many, yet to be identified. There is no space to walk…The grandfather is keen to help as there are a few known to him grieving but is told to go back home as he was with the kids….
That apocalyptic scene remains intact in the memory of the boy, who is now 47 years old and sharing this story with you….
The total compensation that most residents of Bhopal who were subjected to the toxic methyl isocynate that night and in the months to follow was a meagre $300, that too over 15 years. The biggest violation of human rights happened and offenders were let go because of various reasons…
Justice is yet to be served to the victims of #BhopalGasTragedy
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