Woman donates to Covid-19 fund out of compensation money for husband’s death

Radhika’s good turn has touched a chord among the officials in the tribal-dominated Bastar district.

Updated on: Apr 29, 2020, 15:45:17 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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The wife of a slain Chhattisgarh Armed Forces (CAF) jawan, who was killed in a Communist Party of India (Maoist) attack in Bastar district on March 14, has donated ₹10,000 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to fight against coronavirus.

Seen here is Radhika, the slain jawan’s wife, with her son. (HT photo)

On March 14, two jawans of the Chhattisgarh Armed Forces (CAF), Upendra Sahu and Devendra Singh, were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast triggered by the Maoist rebels near Bodli village in Bastar district.

“Sahu’s widow Radhika has donated ₹10,000 to the CM’s Relief Fund to combat Covid-19. It’s a heartwarming gesture from a martyr’s wife and that too only a month after she lost her husband to a Maoist attack. We’re proud of her,” said Deepak Jha, superintendent of police (SP), Bastar.

Radhika’s good turn has touched a chord among the officials in the tribal-dominated Bastar district.

“We tried to impress upon Radhika that instead of donating ₹10,000 to the CM’s Relief Fund, she could have deposited the money in her son’s account. But she insisted that there are many kids like her son, who’re going without food because of Covid-19, and this meagre sum can come in handy for them. She told us that her late husband always stood for such causes,” said Abinash Mishra, a probationary Indian Administrative Officer (IAS), who was present when she donated the money.

The Bastar Police authorities have made a short video clip on her selfless deed.

However, she is unfazed by the adulation. “I donated a fraction of what I had received as compensation from the government after my husband was martyred. My late husband always used to help people during their hard times. I’m doing what he would have done had he been alive,” Radhika told HT.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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