Vadodara: A year after her cries of “Maro dikro doobi gayo, maro gharwalo doobi gayo…” (My son has drowned, my husband has drowned) became the defining image of the Gambhira bridge tragedy, there is finally a ray of hope for Sonal Padhiyar’s three daughters.The Vadodara Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has initiated the process of bringing the girls under the state’s sponsorship scheme, under which they will receive Rs 3,000 per month each for their education and upbringing once the necessary govt approval is issued.Sonal was the lone survivor from her immediate family in the July 9, 2025, bridge collapse that claimed 22 lives. Her husband, Ramesh Padhiyar, 35, daughter Vedika, 6, and son Naitik, 2.5, were among those killed when vehicles plunged into the Mahi River. Her three elder daughters — Neha, 13, Smita, 11, and Priyanshi, 9 — survived only because they were staying with relatives in their native village that day.Today, Neha studies in Class VIII, Smita in Class VI at Dabka High School, and Priyanshi in Class III at a govt school in Dariyapura. With no land, no regular source of income and two elderly parents-in-law to support, Sonal says her biggest concern is securing her daughters’ future.“I have to educate my daughters and one day get them married. There is nobody left to earn for the family,” she said.The family has received compensation announced by the Centre and Gujarat govt, besides financial assistance from Savli MLA Ketan Inamdar and support from Ramesh’s co-workers. However, Sonal says the one-time assistance cannot replace a steady livelihood, adding that her husband’s employment-related dues are still pending despite submission of all documents.After counselling the family, the CWC temporarily placed the three sisters at House of Humanity–Sitaare before reuniting them with their family on July 1 following completion of legal formalities.CWC chairman Mehul Lakhani said, “Once the order is issued, each girl will receive Rs 3,000 per month under the sponsorship scheme to ensure her education and overall development continue uninterrupted.”
