NEW DELHI: Paramlal Kori, 30,was the sole breadwinner of his family, living in a rented room in Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, with his wife Vandana and their five-year-old son. He had recently enrolled his son in Class I at a govt school, hoping to secure a better future for him.Paramlal had worked at the Satya Niketan PG facility for only four days when the disaster unfolded Sunday afternoon.That morning, he left for work around 8.30am as usual, carrying lunch packed by Vandana. When he failed to return home that night, a frantic Vandana repeatedly called his phone, only to find it switched off.The following morning, she rushed to the collapse site, clutching a photograph of her husband and pleading for information.By afternoon, her worst fears were confirmed when officials informed the family that Paramlal had died in the collapse, leaving his wife and young son without any source of income.“My husband died under the rubble… Our future looks bleak now. I hope govt helps us with compensation,” Vandana said, adding, “I will work now to raise my son.”A native of Madhya Pradesh, Paramlal moved to Delhi with his family in search of work. He had been living in the city for nearly 20 years, finding odd jobs as a welder. His brother Mukesh said Paramlal earned about Rs 1,200 a day.On Tuesday, Paramlal’s body was taken to his native village in Madhya Pradesh, where his last rites were performed.The tragedy also claimed the life of 56-year-old Surender Singh, who lived with his wife, son and daughter in Arjan Nagar.Tejpal, who worked with him, said Surender was a “calm and quiet man” who had been working as a welder for several years. “He never had a fight with anyone. He kept to himself and was focused on his work,” Tejpal said.After learning about the collapse, Tejpal went to the site with Paramlal’s wife Vandana to search for the two men. They were later told that the injured had been taken to a hospital. The two then rushed there, only to receive the devastating news about their deaths.Mukesh said he had also earlier worked under Surender, who used to take up contracts. Surender’s son was also an earning member of the family and worked elsewhere.Amid the overwhelming grief, the family of DU student Abhishek, who also died in the collapse, found a way to give others a chance at life by donating his eyes.Speaking to media, his father urged govt to take strict action and ensure such a tragedy is not repeated. “Those responsible should be held accountable so that no other family has to suffer a similar loss,” he said.
