TV
In the secluded Dhobasila village near Nilagiri of Balasore district, the shadow of a tragic accident from 1986 still hangs heavy. The villagers have refrained from any Zero Night and New Year celebrations and have even not gone for picnicking since the devastating incident that claimed the lives of five persons from the village.
The fatal road mishap had taken place around 38 years ago.
The calamity occurred when villagers set out for a picnic at Hadagarh in Mayurbhanj on December 31. During their return journey, the bus in which they were travelling skidded off the road near Gandibeda and plunged into a river, leading to tragic fatalities.
Also Read: Zero Night celebrations in Odisha: Know about liquor restrictions
Reflecting on the sorrowful event, Chakradhar the younger brother of a deceased named Narendranath Pahadsingh stated, "Since my brother’s passing, our family has not arranged any picnic or celebration.”
A memorial in the village immortalises those who perished that day, Chakradhar added.
On New Year’s Day, rather than embarking on outings, the villagers congregate at the memorial to pay their respects and hold a football match in memory of the deceased.
Must Read: Cold wave to sweep Odisha on New Year’s Day; Yellow Warning for 6 districts
The story of the accident continues to resonate with the younger generation, many of whom now choose to abstain from school picnics or any such outings on this day.
While the pain of loss remains, the villagers believe that celebrating the New Year would reignite the sorrow ingrained in their hearts.
“The incident was heart-wrenching. I was also travelling on the bus but fortunately survived. I was sitting on the rear seat of the ill-fated vehicle,” Sanjay Rath expressed.
“We usually worship the memorials and silently spend the day. A football match is organised instead,” another villager Suresh Chandra Das stated.
