Bal Bhavan: Quiet after the storm

Bal Bhavan: Quiet after the storm
DH News Service, Bangalore:


The impact of Monday’s tragic incident at Jawahar Bal Bhavan - in which a mother died while trying to save her daughter who slipped off the Torra Torra - was obvious on Tuesday. The Bal Bhavan authorities have indefinitely suspended all the games involving heavy electric machines, and the usual rush was missing.

Services suspended

The giant motors of all electric amusement equipment came to a halt on Monday evening, when Ayesha Abdul Razzaq Byadgi of Ron Taluk (Gadag) district was crushed under the revolving Torra-Torra while trying to save her daughter.

A few parents from the nearby localities had come with their child in the evening; they left when they saw that the games had been suspended. The only visitors were couples, outstation tourists and some curious youth. Workers at Bal Bhavan had the task of replying to visitors’ questions as to why the games were not open for
public.

The small eatery in front of the Torra Torra was also closed, though the employees were present till in the evening.

People went to the restaurant looking for refreshments, but were disappointed when they were told that the services of the eatery have also been suspended for an indefinite period.

“We have been asked to suspend our eatery for sometime because of the incident that took place on Monday evening. We don’t know for how long services will be suspended,” said an employee.

Cops deployed

Bal Bhavan turned into guarded zone, with policemen deployed there from the morning to evening. They had been deployed immediately after the incident.

Going by the rules, entry into the Bal Bhavan is not so easy for adults. A person aged above 18 will not be allowed to enter Bal Bhavan unless he or she takes a child along.

A yellow-colour signboard in Kannada at the entry of the Bal Bhavan reads, “Adults accompanied by children will be given

entry.” It is also debatable whether the games involving heavy electric machines are fit for children.

Namra unaware of mother’s death

Bangalore, DHNS: Little Namra, oblivious to the tragedy that occurred on Monday, constantly kept asking for her mother on Tuesday.

A day after Ayesha’s death, Namra, the three-year-old, has been kept at the Shishu Mandir under the care of Women and Child Development Department. The child is unable to understand the absence of her mother.
On Tuesday, Namra was taken to NIMHANS to undergo a check-up for her head injury. “Doctors have ruled out any complications, and the head injury was superficial,” said Chidanand, Deputy Director incharge of the Shishu Mandir.

Namra is said to be depressed, though she is not in a state of shock. “Namra is normal and is speaking in Kannada and Urdu. She has been named ‘Soumya’ by the caretakers of Shishu Mandir. She is eating well and there are no indications of any other injuries,” said Chidanand.

According to the deputy director, the three-year old is attached to Hema, a caretaker, and is comfortable with her.

Till now, no guardian or parent has come forward to enquire about Namra. “Under circumstances where no relative or biological parent comes forward to claim Namra, the Department of Women and Child Development will have to make an announcement for adoption,” said Chidanand.