Along the banks of the Ghaghara River in the Mahasi block of Bahraich district, an elderly man can be seen sitting every morning as the first rays of sunlight fall upon the water. Despite his bent posture and the weight of 75 years, Ram Samuch holds onto a ray of hope that has remained unbroken for two and a half decades. About 25 years ago, severe erosion by the Ghaghara River swallowed his 25 Bigha fertile agricultural land. Even after witnessing his lifetime's hard work and primary source of livelihood sink beneath the rushing waters, he never gave up faith. Every morning, he visits the riverbank and prays with deep devotion for the river to restore his lost land.
Loss of 25 Bigha Fertile Land and a Quarter-Century Vigil
Jankinagar village, situated under the Mahasi region of Bahraich district, faces the wrath of natural calamities almost every year. Ram Samuch, a resident of this village, once owned 25 Bigha of lush farmland where he cultivated crops such as wheat, sugarcane, and pulses. This agricultural yield sustained a prosperous and happy family. However, 25 years ago, devastating monsoon floods and severe soil erosion brought by the Ghaghara River changed everything. The aggressive currents rapidly eroded his land, submerging all 25 Bigha into the riverbed. The sudden loss of their farmland plunged the family into severe financial distress, changing their thriving life into a condition of vulnerability.
Unwavering Faith and Daily Prayers to Ganga Maiya
Despite losing his property a quarter of a century ago, the light of hope in Ram Samuch's heart has never faded. At an age of 75 when physical frailty sets in, he maintains a strict daily routine of walking to the edge of the Ghaghara River at sunrise. Looking out at the flowing currents, he folds his hands and prays, repeating the same heartfelt plea: "Ganga Maiya, give me back my field." He holds a firm belief that the very river that took away his livelihood will one day take pity and return his land. His continuous 25-year-old prayer without a single day's gap has deeply moved the local community.
Annual Riverbank Erosion and Devastation in Mahasi Region
Located along the riverbed of the Ghaghara, Jankinagar village in Bahraich suffers heavily from annual flooding and riverbank erosion. Every monsoon season, as the water level rises, massive chunks of fertile soil along the riverbank collapse into the river. Over the years, numerous homes in Jankinagar have been swept away by the raging floodwaters, and vast tracts of agricultural fields have been lost forever. The emotional story of Ram Samuch highlights the immense toll that recurring natural disasters take on rural livelihoods, while his unwavering patience continues to touch hearts across the region.
