A tragic event related to superstitions occurred in the village of Pargada, which falls under the OP Bhadani zone, Ramgarh district in the state of Jharkhand. Two young brothers died from high fever, while their mother's condition remains critical.
Instead of seeking medical help at a hospital, the family treated the children for three days with the help of a tantric, conducting rituals. When the children's condition worsened, they were taken to the hospital, but it was too late.
It is reported that about three or four days ago, Shankar Bediya's son Ramkisun (aged 15), his son Sahil (aged 10), and his wife Singita Devi fell ill simultaneously at their home in Pargada, all suffering from high temperatures. Seeing that all three were sick, relatives believed it was the influence of an evil force rather than an illness. Therefore, instead of visiting a doctor, they called a tantric to their home, who began performing rituals.
Incense continued to be burned in the house, and the tantric claimed he would heal everyone by chanting mantras. However, instead of improving the condition of Ramkisun, Sahil, and their mother, their health steadily deteriorated. Despite this, the family did not attempt to immediately take them to the hospital. Treatment in this condition continued for three days, and the children's condition became critical.
When both brothers' condition became uncontrollable and they lost consciousness, relatives rushed them to Ramgarh Sadar Hospital. However, both children died on the way. Doctors declared their death at the hospital. Following this, sorrow settled over the family, and mourning prevails throughout the village.
Meanwhile, the condition of the children's mother, Singita Devi, also continued to worsen. As her pulse weakened, doctors transferred her to RIMS in Ranchi for more serious treatment in critical condition. She is currently fighting for her life in the hospital.
The most heartbreaking aspect of this story is that the head of the family, Shankar Bediya, works in Odisha for private employment to earn money and was absent from the village during the incident. He dreamed of providing education for his two sons and making them successful people, but now Ramkisun and Sahil have passed away.
Upon receiving information about the incident, Manoj Gupta, the Block Development Officer of Patratu, arrived in the village. He met with the affected family and offered them support. The BDO also stated his intention to provide compensation to the family according to government norms.
Given the simultaneous high fever of three family members, an investigation into possible medical causes has been initiated. A team from the health department visited the village and took water samples from nearby wells. An inspection is underway to determine if the water is contaminated or if it played a role in the spread of infection.
High fever can be a sign of various infections or diseases. Medical examination is necessary to rule out possibilities such as viral fever, malaria, typhoid, or waterborne diseases. Nevertheless, the true cause of death in this case will only become clear after the investigation and receipt of a medical conclusion.
After the death of both children, an atmosphere of mourning prevails in Pargada village. Residents are discussing that the situation might have been different if the children had received timely medical care. This incident also highlights the problem of superstitions in rural areas, as well as the lack of awareness regarding health and medical services.
Adherence to treating illnesses through rituals or ceremonies due to superstitions can pose a serious threat to many families. It is extremely important to seek medical consultation promptly without ignoring early symptoms of illness. The incident in Ramgarh shows how crucial it is to effectively deliver awareness campaigns and ensure the accessibility of medical services to the remotest corners of villages so that no other family experiences such a tragedy.
