'Dead' Odisha woman comes back to life minutes before cremation
Berhampur (Odisha) Feb 13: A 52-year-old Odisha woman, who was believed to be dead in a fire incident at home and carried to a cremation ground, opened her eyes just before the pyre was to be set alight.
The incident occurred in Berhampur town in the southern district of Ganjam, the family said on Tuesday.
Family members of the woman who reside at Goods Shed Road admitted her to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, hours after returning home from the cremation ground on late Monday evening.
The woman belonging to a poor family suffered over 50 per cent burn injuries on February 1 in a fire mishap at home and was admitted to the same hospital.
However, when the hospital authorities referred her to another medical facility, her husband took her home due to paucity of money. Since then, she has been struggling with her life, family sources said.
"On Monday, she was not opening her eyes and it appeared she was not breathing. We thought she might have died. We then informed others in the locality," said Sibaram Palo, her husband.
Without consulting a doctor or trying to get a death certificate, he took the "body" to the nearby cremation ground at Bijipur in a hearse of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation.
"The funeral pyre was almost ready when she opened her eyes suddenly. We were initially shocked but when we started calling her, she responded. It is a miracle," said Palo's neighbour K Chiranjibi who accompanied the family members to the cremation ground.
The local corporator was informed and the same hearse was used to take her back home.
Later, she was admitted to the hospital again.
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Protests erupt in Karnataka over 15% bus fare hike
Bengaluru: Protests broke out across Karnataka following the state cabinet's decision to increase bus fares by 15% for all state-owned transport corporations, effective from January 5, 2025. The hike aims to address financial strains on transport corporations due to rising fuel prices and operational costs.
The decision has sparked criticism, particularly from opposition parties, who argue that the fare increase places an unfair burden on men, while the state’s 'Shakti' scheme continues to provide free rides for women. Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil defended the hike, stating that it would generate approximately Rs 74.85 crore monthly and Rs 784 crore annually, helping offset deficits faced by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and other transport bodies.
Patil explained that the last fare revision was made a decade ago, and with significant increases in diesel prices and operational expenses, the hike was necessary. He assured that the 'Shakti' scheme would continue, with the state government releasing Rs 417 crore monthly to support it.
The fare increase has been met with sharp opposition from the BJP. Party leaders, including R. Ashoka, criticized the Congress government for its financial mismanagement, while BJP MLA Dheeraj Muniraju accused the government of "looting" the public by raising fares for men while providing free rides for women. A state-wide protest against the hike is scheduled for January 4, 2025.
