I am Sudarsana Baliarsingh, Age- 40 years, son of Balku Baliarsingh, At/PO- Balliguda, Nuasahi, victim of Kandhamal Communal Violence, 2008.
I originally belong to Borikia Village, Parigada Panchayat, Kotagarh Block, Kandhamal District. During the Communal Violence, 2008 our houses were set on fire and Livestock and household items looted. We fled to the forest for help and rescue. My wife was not keeping well in those times. My son and daughter were weeping and crying on seeing those terrible scenes of violence.
We escaped through the forest and travelled bare footed for at least 60 kms in 5 days and came to Balliguda. Since there was no relief camp in Kotagarh block and no police protection due to dense forests and bad roads we had no other option. There was no hope to return to our village as all our little mud house and livestock were looted and reduced us to ground zero.
The reason why we left to Balliguda is to stay in a connecting place and less fear of danger as Balliguda was the only nearest choice left. The walk through the forest was difficult especially with children and ill health of my wife. We stayed in the relief camp for 3 months. We left for Gochhapada village, my in-laws village and took shelter for 6 months.
The condition of my In-Laws place was more miserable with grief and pain gripped with poorness and deprivation. Soon after that we shifted to Balliguda and lead the life of a beggar in market spots asking for help. We encroached Government Land and stayed in mud cluttered house and tarpaulin roof. We had no fix for our shelter. We knew one day Government might bulldoze the houses.
Though we have notified the Government but no lease land was provided. Finally after running to the Government office several times we were able to acquire a homestead land. My wife suffered from terminal abdominal cancer. I was indebted financially. My only means was daily labour wages and my son worked as a driver. We worked hard to protect my wife but doctors gave up hope as she entered the final stage of cancer. She died in January 2015.
We then knew that India Evangelistic Association, an organization based in Cuttack is providing houses for victims in Kandhamal. We approached their Project Coordinators and Facilitators and they enlisted us in the program fold after having surveyed us thoroughly. We finally constructed our house. It provided a great relief. We made up our mind mentally to collect some money for Labour and Mason.
We were provided with Bricks, Sand, Cement, Asbestos, Wood for Doors and Windows Including Frame, Hooks and Nut Bolts in time. This benevolent help to offer hope and shelter in the most difficult times of our living was a great blessing. Thanking for what you have done for us and Praise God for showering blessings to us.
