Indore – A devastating tragedy has struck the Sahu family in Indore, where a six-month-old infant died after consuming milk prepared with contaminated municipal tap water. The child, named Avyan, was born after his family waited and prayed for ten years, only to lose him to the Indore water contamination crisis that has gripped the city’s Bhagirathpura area.
Avyan died on December 29, becoming the youngest victim of the water crisis that has affected more than 1,400 people over the past nine days. The Indore water contamination has exposed critical failures in the city’s water supply system and raised urgent questions about public health infrastructure.
A Family’s Decade-Long Wait Ends in Tragedy
The Sahu family’s joy at Avyan’s birth after ten years of prayers and waiting has transformed into profound grief. The family had made a sacred vow at Hussain Tekri Dargah, and their prayers were finally answered with the infant’s arrival. However, the celebration was cut short when the Indore water contamination claimed the child’s life just six months later.
Avyan’s grandmother, Krishna Sahu, spoke about the family’s loss, stating that the entire family had prayed for the baby’s birth. She expressed her disbelief that the child they had waited so long for would leave them so suddenly, becoming a victim of circumstances entirely beyond their control.
Family Refuses Government Compensation
In a poignant statement reflecting their grief, Krishna Sahu revealed that the family has not accepted any compensation from the state government. The Madhya Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to families of deceased victims of the Indore water contamination crisis.
“We have not taken any compensation from the state government so far. Our child is gone. Will the compensation bring him back to life? Money is not greater than a child,” Krishna Sahu said, articulating the pain that no amount of financial assistance can heal.
Healthy Child Falls Victim to Contaminated Water
According to Krishna Sahu, Avyan was a healthy infant who had gained five kilograms and played happily in his mother’s lap. The tragedy began when he suddenly started suffering from diarrhoea. Initially, the family administered medicines at home following a doctor’s advice, but the child’s condition rapidly deteriorated.
When Avyan was taken to the hospital, doctors declared him dead upon arrival. The Indore water contamination had already caused irreversible damage to the infant’s system. Krishna Sahu explained that due to insufficient breast milk, the baby was being fed packaged milk and milk powder mixed with water from the municipal tap, which proved fatal for the child.
Crisis Spreads Fear Among Residents
The Indore water contamination has created widespread panic in the Bhagirathpura area. Anita Sen, a neighbor of the Sahu family, expressed the terror that has gripped local families. She mentioned having three children herself—a month-old girl, a four-year-old, and a ten-year-old—and demanded that the government ensure no other mother loses a child to contaminated water.
Also Read: Shocking Crime: Woman Gang-Raped In Moving Van In Faridabad For 2 Hours, Thrown Out On Road
The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of infants and young children to the Indore water contamination, as their developing immune systems cannot combat the pathogens present in the polluted water supply.
Scale of the Health Crisis
More than 1,400 people have been affected by vomiting and diarrhoea in Bhagirathpura over the past nine days, making the Indore water contamination one of the most serious public health emergencies in recent times. According to health department data, 272 patients had been admitted to hospitals in the area by Thursday, with 71 already discharged.
However, the situation remains critical, with at least 32 patients currently undergoing treatment in intensive care units. The severity of the Indore water contamination is evident in the number of people requiring intensive medical intervention.
Disputed Death Toll
Residents have claimed that 15 people have died due to the vomiting-diarrhoea outbreak caused by the Indore water contamination. However, the health department has not confirmed this claim and stated that only four deaths have occurred. This discrepancy has raised concerns about transparency in reporting the true impact of the crisis.
Government Response and Accountability
The Indore water contamination has prompted the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav to take action against top officials responsible for the water supply system. The crisis has also drawn attention from political leaders, with calls for accountability and immediate measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Urgent Need for Safe Water Infrastructure
The death of Avyan underscores the critical importance of ensuring safe drinking water for all citizens. The Indore water contamination has revealed systemic failures that must be addressed immediately to prevent further loss of life. Families like the Sahus should not have to fear that basic necessities like water could claim their children’s lives.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that access to clean, safe drinking water is not a luxury but a fundamental right that governments must guarantee to protect their citizens, especially the most vulnerable members of society.
