Every time a cat crosses the road, for a fraction of a second, I stand there, still, remembering my mother's words of how it's a bad omen and let somebody else cross before me. Every time I have to fight with my inner self and remind myself that, “you are a rational person”.
In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded in the sacred city of Haridwar, the life of a 5-year-old child was tragically cut short due to the family's reliance on superstition. The young boy was already grappling with the torment of blood cancer, a formidable adversary that had left the family desperate for a miraculous solution.
At what cost?
In their pursuit of an otherworldly cure, the family decided to take the child to Haridwar and immerse him in the holy waters of the Ganges. This act believed to possess healing powers by those steeped in superstition, was undertaken as a last resort after medical professionals at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital had exhausted their efforts to combat the aggressive blood cancer.
A disturbing video circulating online encapsulates the gravity of the situation. A woman, presumably a family member, can be seen sitting beside the child's lifeless body, her demeanour betraying a mix of unwarranted optimism and eerie laughter. "This child will stand up. That is my promise," she declares, as onlookers, increasingly suspicious of the unfolding events, plead for the family to cease their actions.
The situation took a darker turn as locals, disturbed by the audible cries of the child, alerted the police. Prompt intervention led to the child being swiftly transported to a nearby hospital. However, the grim outcome was already evident as medical professionals declared the child dead upon arrival. A post-mortem examination has been initiated to shed light on the precise cause of death.
As the news unravels, it underscores the devastating consequences of succumbing to superstitions, especially in desperate circumstances. The local police, headed by Superintendent Swatantra Kumar Singh, have registered a case, initiating a thorough investigation to unravel the intricacies surrounding this heart-rending incident. The police investigation is underway.
This tragic event serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to dispel unfounded beliefs that can lead to irreversible consequences, particularly in matters of life and death. For those who seem to have lost hope, they often reach out to the unknown for some sign of miracle. And, India, being a land of superstitions where these unfounded beliefs still entrap the minds of the people allows them to pursue the unknown.
Views expressed by the author are their own
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