Father’s Day 2023: Man nurtures children as mother after wife’s death in Mayurbhanj

A mother may be the birth-giver, it is the father who spends his entire life protecting and taking care of his family members. We all appreciate mothers’ efforts, but we often forget to express gratitude towards our respective fathers.

After his wife’s death, a man in Mayurbhanj district has turned both mother and father for his children.

Meet Shankar Murmu from Jadukhunta village under Udala block in the district. Shankar has two sons- 11-year-old Phudan and seven-year-old Divyang child Sakila. 

Shankar’s wife Sugi Murmu passed away two years back due to some kidney ailments. Since then, Shankar is taking care of his children and discharging the role of both father and mother.

Though many people insisted Shankar for his second marriage after Sugi’s death, he was determined not to marry again as he feared that his children might be neglected in the process. 

Now, he is playing the double role of both a mother and father into perfection to nurture his children. Shankar works as a daily labourer to earn his daily living. He also does all the household chores like cooking, cleaning utensils, and nurturing his children.

“After our mother’s death, our father is working day and night to nurture us. Despite taking huge pressure, he has never lost cool and neglected us,” said Shankar’s elder son Phudan.

With a meager income as a daily labourer and a huge burden on his shoulders, Shankar has to fight against all odds to take care of his children.

“It’s very hard to take care of the children and do all the household chores along with my work as a daily labourer. But my children’s future is my priority,” said Shankar.

Well, Shankar’s dedication and determination as an ideal father have earned him praise from the locals.

“Shankar is an ideal father. It is very rare to have such dedication these days. He is working very hard to earn his living and nurture his two children,” said Shankar’s neighbor Surendra Prusty.

“Shankar Bhai’s dedication and determination is praiseworthy. He refused to get married again fearing that his children might be neglected. As an ideal father he is really an inspiration for the society,” said Narendra Sahu, a villager.