Staring at a bleak future

Robbed of their breadwinners, distraught families and orphaned children pin hopes on government aid

For 14-year-old Prashant world has turned upside down within a span of five days. Hailing from a weavers’ family at Penukonda in Anantapur district, he lost both his parents to COVID-19 infection within a gap of three days (May 16 and 19). His father K. Janardhan, who continued the family profession of weaving and also worked as a reporter for a media house, lost his wife Anitha on May 16 despite taking care of her in all possible ways. Even before the father-son duo could come to terms with her loss, COVID-19 struck again infecting Janardhan this time. He turned positive on May 18. He was admitted to a private hospital in Anantapur and passed away on Wednesday. The family has six handlooms which served as the main source of income. Janardhan used to play a key role in getting orders and employing people to weave Dharmavaram silk saris. Too young to shoulder the responsibility, Prashant is in a dazed state now, staring at a bleak future.