Eunuch community grieves for victims of Delhi fire

Hundreds of eunuchs from different parts of the country thronged the city's Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, where many of over the over 30 injured in last night's blaze at Nand Nagri community hall were undergoing treatment, crying and consoling others from the community.

"When the fire broke there was chaos all around. I and my daughter were trying to make our way out. I tumbled thrice until I reached the exit gate. After that I fell unconscious. When I gained consciousness, I heard that my daughter was no more," an eunuch from Gaziabad who was part of the congregation recalled.

Heart rending scenes were witnessed at the emergency gate and the mortuary of the Guru Tegh Bahadur hospital, where loud wails of the young and old, who had gathered to know about the fate of their loved ones, rented the air.

Of all the 14 dead, majority were in their seventies and eighties, an police official said.
A group of eunuchs barged into the duty officer's room demanding to stop postmorterm of their dead relatives.

However, they withdrew their protest when they were consoled by other community members.

"My Guru adopted five eunuchs. I adopted two eunuchs and a normal girl who was abandoned by her parents in a Kolkata hospital. I toil day and night to give the best to the three children. My Guru is now no more but I have learnt from her to continue to smile in good and bad times," said a eunuch whose Guru Shankari from Kolkata died in the blaze.

Residents from nearby places came in with food and water for the those who had gathered there.

"They are considered to bring good luck to people they bless. Sadly, they are in trouble today. They are no different from us and we brought this food to give them a feeling that they are not alone," a resident of Dilshad Garden area said.