KATHMANDU, 2 June: The Himalayan earthquake that killed over 8,000 people in April and May left a lasting impression on the population of the country.
Most of them did not only lose their homes, but some of their family were also killed in the terrible tragedy.
No exception, Durba, 55, who has been living in poverty lost his livelihood and home in Bhaktapur due to the worst earthquake in 80 years.
Choosing the streets as his new home, he only expects sympathy from the people in looking for a bite to eat and to accommodate his life, which he considers to have no more meaning.
“I do not have a family and I never married, so there has been no one to support me all this while.
“After the incident, my house was destroyed and I had to live on the street because no one wanted to help.
“I was hungry and frightened,” he told Syamsul Haq, the Nepalese interpreter who accompanied the humanitarian aid mission crew to the country.
Durba’ presence was only realised when he followed the writers and crew of the humanitarian aid mission who were surveying the Bhaktapur district.
Durba also did not speak and ask for donations, instead he just sat close to the writers until our interpreter said hello and asked questions.
He only left after one of the crew members of the humanitarian aid mission gave him some Rupees as pocket money to buy food.
“Thank you,” said Durba with excitement before leaving us.
An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit Nepal and the capital, Kathmandu, as well as Pokhara at 2.56 pm (Malaysian time) on April 25.
The tragedy is deemed to be the worst to hit Nepal in 81 years.
Among those perished in the incident is the Unesco heritage site, Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
NS
