Pandemic fury leaves lives wrecked, families broken

ANANTAPUR: The deadly second wave of Covid-19 has been sweeping the country, destroying lives and leaving families broken for life. Everywhere, heart-wrenching tales are being heard. It is an untold agony for elder persons to light the pyres of their children.
 

Suryanarayana, a former bank manager from Hindupur, contracted Covid -19 and underwent treatment at the super specialty hospital in Anantapur two weeks
ago. His wife and daughter also tested positive and they stayed at a rented
house at Sharada Nagar.

His son K. Sridhar, a software professional for two-and-a-half decades, came to Anantapur to take care of them. Soon after he returned home to Bengaluru, he reported Covid symptoms and fell seriously ill. He died while being treated at a private hospital in Bengaluru city. The body was shifted to Hindupur where his father conducted last rites.

Suryanarayana also conducted all 12-day rituals despite suffering from
post-Covid symptoms.

In another incident, a father committed suicide as he was unable to cope up
with the sudden death of 32-year-old son in Anantapur last month. The son is
survived by two children. His father could not bear his loss and died by
suicide.

K. Ashok, a general merchant from Madakasira municipality, had lost his
30-year-old son due to Covid. Both suffered from the dreadful virus, but the
son could not recover. “I had to light the pyre of my son at Kurnool,” he
broke down in tears.
 

Chennakesavavulu, an employee at the office of the district medical & health
officer was crestfallen after his brother Srinivasulu, an assistant engineer
in irrigation department in Madakasira, died of Covid at a Bengaluru
hospital.

At least four members of a family at Kodikonda check-post in Chilamathur
mandal died last week. A man and his two wives and a son died of Covid.