Extends Support After Tragic Fire Claims Lives of Two Children in Killa, Tripura
In a heart-wrenching tragedy, the peaceful village of Thandacharra, East Khumpuilwng in Killa, Gomati, Tripura was shaken on February 5, 2023. Shibu Debbarma, a hardworking daily laborer, had left for work, while his wife, Ratna Sakhi Jamatia, was occupied with household chores by a nearby river. Her two young children, Anita Debbarma, aged 4, and Rakesh Debbarma, aged 2, were in deep sleep at home when an electrical short circuit ignited a fire, spreading quickly through their modest home. Unaware of the looming disaster, Ratna had locked the doors from the outside to ensure the safety of her children during her absence.
As the fire took hold, the thick smoke and flames caught the attention of neighborhood children, who began shouting for help. Alarmed by the commotion, villagers gathered and made desperate attempts to unlock the door to save the children. By the time Ratna learned of the unfolding tragedy and rushed back, it was too late. Both Anita and Rakesh had succumbed to the blaze, and the family’s home had been entirely reduced to ashes, leaving them with nothing but grief and loss.
News of the incident spread across social media, and upon learning of it, our team at the United Tiprasa Forum (UTF) made an immediate decision to visit the family. After talking to the heartbroken parents and assessing the extent of their loss, we knew we had to do more than offer words of comfort. Recognizing the urgent need to provide them with a secure shelter, UTF pledged to construct a new home for the grieving family.
Our team promptly prepared a budget of Rs. 1,42,000 to cover the expenses of constructing a residential house. UTF members, public donors, and community supporters responded generously, with several notable contributions from respected community figures such as Karuna Mohan Jamatia, Dr. Chandan Debbarma, and Yudhishthir Jamatia, among others. Donations poured in from well-wishers, making it possible to initiate the construction work on March 15, 2023. Thanks to the collective efforts and efficient coordination of our team and volunteers, the house was completed in a single month, symbolizing a new beginning for the victim family amid their grief.
On April 20, 2023, UTF held a humble yet meaningful ribbon-cutting ceremony to hand over the newly constructed home to the family. The UTF President, senior advisors, and numerous UTF members were present, honoring the resilience of the family and expressing gratitude to all those who made the project possible. In this gathering, our UTF family reinforced its commitment to supporting and uplifting communities through tragedy, providing a place of safety and comfort for those facing hardship.
Through this tragedy and the community’s compassionate response, we are reminded of the importance of standing by each other in times of need. The unity, generosity, and collective spirit displayed by everyone involved—our UTF members, local donors, and well-wishers—reflect the profound strength within our community.