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No change of clothes since 41 days for quake-victim lad

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By No Author
GORKHA, June 5: Except for a grimy cap, a full-bottomed shirt, dull jean pants and an old pair of slippers, the earth quake took away everything belonging to 13-year-old Mohan Gurung. "All I have left is the clothes I am wearing. If I had been at home, I would probably have been killed," said Mohan a local Mandre of Barpak VDC, the epicenter of the catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake of April 25.

The quake demolished his house and killed his sister-in-law Binita and one-year-old nephew, Ritam. Everything including food items, clothing and school uniforms, was buried in the debris of the collapsed house.

The family is financially weak and his brother Surya had gone to Malaysia for employment just six months ago. They make do on daily wages and Mohan had gone to carry sand for a hydropower project being constructed in the village.Mohan has been wearing the same clothes since the quake and has not changed for 41 days now. "What choice do I have?" he asked tearfully. He ended up losing everything but at least he has not lost his life.

Not a single house stands intact in Mohan's village. His school, Bhagawati Primary, is in no condition to operate. He recently passed the sixth grade exams and wants to continue in grade seven. But with no house, no school, no books or uniform and the poor financial condition of his family, he doubts he will be able to do so.

Mohan traveled to the district headquarters of Gorkha on the 40th day since the big quake to seek some help from his aunt who lives there. He had not wanted to abandon his parents and go live with his aunt. But now he has changed his mind.

His mother Ras Maya then traveled to district headquarters with Rs 5,000 which she received from her youngest daughter, who is already married. With the money, she recently got Mohan admitted to grade seven at Mahendra Jyoti Higher Secondary School there. The boy went to his new school for the first time Thursday.

He could hardly control his tears while introducing himself to his classmates.

He got admitted to school and bought some books, but he has not enough money left to purchase his uniform.



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