STRUGGLING WITH THE LOSS

Change is hardly easy for anyone, much less for young children who have to face unpleasant situations so early in life.
The same happened with Sujoy, whose life turned upside down in 2017 when his father, an Indian soldier, was martyred in a Maoist attack. For a 10-year old Sujoy, the fact that his father was not coming home did not make sense. Even a year after, it seems as though he is still under shock.

Sujoy grew up in a village in Bihar with his mother and siblings. He often spoke to his father over the phone and enjoyed when his father came home for holidays. Even on the day, the news of his father’s martyrdom knocked on the door Sujoy asked his mother a few times why his father had not phoned them yet.
“The news upset him a lot; he used to be a cheerful child, but after the news, he became withdrawn”, his mother told us.

Quickly after his father’s death, Sujoy was sent to stay with his maternal aunt in a city close by to continue his studies – a change that further escalated his isolated nature. Sujoy’s mother wasn’t happy with the quality of education in his village and hence decided to send him to the city for a better education.

He studies in 6th standard at a KendriyaVidyalaya. He is well-liked by his peers but suffers from being painfully shy. His introverted nature restricts him from interacting in classrooms and participating in extracurricular activities. Although Sujoy is an average student he likes to go to school and play with his friends. But academics are important for his family, and for a better result, Sujoy takes tuition in all subjects.

We met the soft-spoken Sujoy in his aunt’s house. Dressed in his school uniform of red and white chequered shirt and blue pants, Sujoy had just come back from school. He was shy to see us and in the beginning answered to most of our questions in monosyllables, but on enquiring about his father he opened up a little. “I am proud of my father, but I miss him very much”, the young lad said with his voice thickening. We learnt that he was very close to his father and laments that he will never share such a bond with anyone again. “Even if I tell how much I miss my father, I will never get back my father’s love”, he answered heart breakingly when we asked why he avoids talking to his family about his father.

Since it has just been a year since his father’s tragedy, it was felt that Sujoy would benefit from a child counsellor who can help him overcome his grief and adjustment problems. The young boy has potential and we will monitor him regularly to assess his journey to success.