Dehradun:
As families that survived the Uttarakhand tragedy begin to come to terms with the extent of their loss, they are finally realising that perhaps nothing will ever be the same for them again.
Several families in Devli-Bhanigram, near Guptkashi, have lost a member, in many cases the sole breadwinner. Among those who have gone missing, and are now presumed dead, are priests, shopkeepers and lodge managers in Kedarnath, who lived away from their families for an entire season before returning in October when the temple shut for the winter. Their families did not even get the chance to give them a final farewell.
Savitri Tiwari's husband, who was supposed to return on June 17, is among the missing. "I held on to hope for three days. I thought the government would sent some chopper for rescue, but nothing happened," she said.
Poonam, who has a two-year-old daughter, has a similar tragic story. "How will I bring her up on my own? How will I educate her?" she said.
For these 54 houses in Devli-Bhanigram, their homes, their children's education, their lives, and dreams, were all linked with Kedarnath, that could take months to be restored before tourists and pilgrims finally return.
Among them was Harshavardhan, a photographer, who had worked near the shrine for two decades, permanently capturing happy memories for pilgrims and families alike. On June 17, he was busy helping people move to safer places, when he was swept away by huge waves.
"Many have been widowed after this tragedy. Some of them married a few years ago, with infants and toddlers. How do they even begin to think of getting their lives back on track," says Harshvardhan's uncle, Mohanlal Kapurwan.
For these families, with their bread winners gone and the temple shut down, the financial struggle has now become a part of the emotional turmoil. And keeping the faith will be a constant battle for them.