MANDI, July 14 — Ten-month-old Neetika, the lone survivor of a family devastated by a deadly cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, will now be raised by her aunt, Kirna Devi, following a heart-wrenching tragedy that claimed the lives of her parents and grandmother.
The cloudburst struck Talwara village in Parwara panchayat during the intervening night of June 30 and July 1, unleashing flash floods and landslides across the region. Neetika’s father Ramesh (31) died while trying to divert water from the house. His wife, Radha Devi (24), and mother, Purnu Devi (59), went out to help but never returned.
The infant was discovered alone and crying inside the partially flooded house by neighbour Prem Singh, who immediately informed Balwant, a cousin of Ramesh and a personal security officer to former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur.
After the family’s traditional 13-day mourning ritual (‘Shudi’) was completed, relatives decided that Neetika would be brought up by Ramesh’s younger sister, Kirna Devi, who lives in Shikauri village, around 20 km from Talwara.
“She already has a son, and she insisted her village would provide a better environment for the child’s upbringing and education,” said Balwant on Monday.
Earlier, Ramesh’s elder sister Tara Devi had taken temporary custody of the child, but the family later agreed on Kirna Devi’s request to assume long-term guardianship.
The tragedy has drawn nationwide attention, with people from across India and even abroad expressing a desire to adopt Neetika. But the family has decided to raise her themselves.
“We are grateful for the support, but we are emotionally attached to her. She is the only surviving member of our family, and we cannot give her up,” Balwant said.
Neetika’s future is now a focus of community and official concern. Two bank accounts — one each in Himachal Co-operative Bank and Punjab National Bank — have been opened in her name. The funds, contributed by well-wishers, will be reserved for her education and can only be accessed when she turns 18, officials said.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur visited the child on Saturday and urged the state government to bring her under the Chief Minister’s Sukh Aashray Yojana, which offers full care and support to orphaned or destitute children under state guardianship.
“She deserves every opportunity to grow and flourish. The government must ensure she receives benefits under the scheme,” Thakur said.
As of now, 27 people are still missing in Mandi district following the string of cloudbursts and landslides that struck on June 30 night. The disaster has claimed at least 15 lives so far, and search operations continue.
