Bolangir, one of the poorest districts in the country known for starvation deaths, sale of children by distressed parents and large-scale migration of people to other states in search of work every year is currently faced with another problem — the alarming increase in the number of unwed mothers.
   The problem has already thrown up a fresh challenge for government and non-governmental agencies working for eradication of poverty in the western Orissa district.
   Shalu (name changed on request) had gone to a neighbouring state a year and half back in search of work where she met a man from her home district who had also migrated there for a job. Both developed a physical relationship while working at a construction site after the man promised her marriage.
   The poor lady’s nightmare started after she got pregnant and returned home along with her boy friend. Instead of marrying her as promised earlier, the man deserted the 28-year-old and fled from the district. “I do not know what to do now,” said a bitter Shalu.
   This type of incident has not remained confined to only young female migrant labourers. Cases of unwed motherhood have also been on the rise among other classes of poor ladies and girls in interior pockets of the district. Many of these unwed mothers, unfortunately, are teenagers yet to attain marriageable age.
   In 2006-07, the Human Rights Protection Cell of the district police had recorded more than fifteen unwed motherhood cases. However, the number would be much more if one would take into consideration the unreported cases.
   Apart from desertion by their partners what is adding to the woes of these unwed mothers is social ostracism. They are ostracised not only by fellow villagers and relatives but even by their own family members.
   A case in point is Vinita (identity changed on request). The 16-year-old girl from a poor tribal family was lured to a physical relationship with a promise for marriage by the son of a well-to-do family in her village.
   She became pregnant and the boy fled from the village when he came to know about her pregnancy. Unfortunately, when the matter came to light her own family members also disowned her leaving the minor girl with no other option but to deliver a child in a destitute home.
   Many in the district are of the view that poor economic condition of the district added by lack of education is responsible for this disturbing trend.
   Despite years of assurances, successive governments in the state have failed to improve the standard of life of the people in the district and they are still reeling under acute poverty as well as negligence in other fields like education, health care and communication facilities.