Malda's drive against superstition

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 6 APRIL:  In order to banish superstition such as the “evil eye” among tribals administrative officials of the Chanchal sub-division yesterday took an initiative to launch a special awareness campaign with a difference.

The Chanchal SDO, Mr Subho Mukherjee, the ACMOH, Dr Swapan Biswas, and other officials rushed to Anandaganj village within Gourhant gram panchayat in Chanchal-II block when they were informed that members of a tribal family had contacted a witch-doctor for the treatment of a one-year-old. The family was of the opinion that the child was under the influence of the “evil eye”.

The ACMOH examined the child at their home and brought him and his mother to Malatipur block primary health centre for medical treatment. Finally the mother and her baby were admitted to the hospital for treatment at least for five days.

Mrs Mania Orano, grand mother of the child, said: “My daughter’s son was suffering due to negative effects of the “evil eye”. Due to the negative effects medicines failed to bring any changes in his health. We contacted an Ojha, who was a resident of Katihar (Bihar). He too told us about the “evil eye”. He assured us that he would cure my grand son and said he would charge us Rs 1,400 for the treatment”. The Ojha was scheduled to visit their village yesterday evening.

According to health officials the child was not administered proper medicine. The family members used some local medicines and a tabij-kabaj (superstitious locket).

The ACMOH, Dr Biswas, said the baby was suffering from anemia, pneumonia, malnutrition and other skin diseases due to lack of vitamins. “His condition could have deteriorated at home without treatment”, he said.

The BMOH, Dr Sangita Das has been asked to take special care of the baby and his mother at the Malatipur block primary health centre so that the child could be cured quickly.

The hospital authorities have been asked to provide them with medicines availing the rugee kalyan samiti fund.

“If we can discharge the baby with good health after five days we will be able to establish that there was no presence of ‘evil eye”. We have planned to revisit the area after some day for an awareness campaign”, Dr Biswas said.

The Chanchal sub-divisional administrative officials have planned to launch such awareness campaigning in 100 backward villages in six blocks.