SORROW ALL OVER: Mekala Ramulu's sons grieving over his body at Bhattugudem in Bibinagar mandal in Nalgonda district.

NALGONDA: Life is a big vacuum for five children residing in Bhattugudem in Bibinagar mandal.

The reason being not able to cope with financial troubles and pressure being exerted by the moneylenders, their mother and father committed suicide in a gap of seven months.

Mekala Ramulu (42), a carpenter, and Premalatha (36), his wife, had somehow failed to anticipate the trouble that they could face with a big family. They gave birth to Ashok (now 17), Ramesh (16), Ramanjaneyulu (15), Mallesh (12) and Pujitha (8).

The couple struggled very hard to feed the children and also to give them education. Neither his profession nor their 1.2 acre land could come in handy for them to tide over the troubles. Premalatha started a small dairy unit by borrowing from her near and dear. Forced by pecuniary problems, Ashok and Ramesh gave up their studies and found underpaid jobs.

The couple borrowed Rs. 10,000 from a farmer and bought a buffalo a year ago promising him supply of milk every day but the plan did not work out. Premalatha consumed poison and ended her life on January 31 allegedly due to financial troubles. The moneylender descended on Ramulu's house on August 17 and demanded repayment of Rs.8, 000. "He took away the buffalo which costs Rs. 5,000 and told him to pay the remaining Rs. 3,000 the next day,'' Ramulu's neighbours said.

Unable to digest the insult meted out to him by the farmer, Ramulu consumed pesticide and ended his life on August 18.

``Now people are saying that we owe Rs. 2.7 lakhs to them but we don't have a single paise,'' Ashok said. He requested the Government to lend them a helping hand to get on with their life.

The RDO, Bhongir, K.N. Kistappa, told The Hindu that he had recommended the family be covered under Apadbandhu scheme. "I asked the MRO to join the children in hostels and we are trying to allot a house to them,'' he added.

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