She had enrolled in the Abhayahastham scheme along with other thrift group members. On September 5, 2011 she was bitten by a snake while returning home. The family members and villagers rushed her to a hospital in Ongole Town for medication. But efforts to revive her failed and she breathed her last the next day.
Yakaiah brought her body back home to perform the last rites. He had no money. With a voice choked in grief he says: “I spent around Rs.15000 for the hospital expenses I borrowed money from the local money lender for her treatment. I was hoping she would get well. We are very poor we do not have ready money to meet this crisis, a personal loss.’’ Mrs. Vijayalakshmi, the Village Organisation Sub Committee member, reported the death to the Call Centre and Mrs. Koteswaramma, Bima Mitra, rushed to the village with the instant death relief of Rs. 5000.
The SHG and Bima Mitra helped me by giving Rs 5,000 instant relief at my door step,”says Yakiah. After submission of the claim forms, Yakaiah was sanctioned Rs. 75,000 as accident death claim. The amount was released in the name of K.Chinna Venkataiah, his only son.
Yakaiah never even dreamt that he would be a beneficiary of such a huge amount. He was wise in utilising the money for the right purpose. “With the claim amount, I purchased National Savings Certificates worth Rs. 37,500 and with the remaining amount I purchased rams and regained the lost property.” He says the insurance claim after his wife’s death helped him in purchasing sheep. “I may have succeeded in purchasing sheep with the insurance claim but I cannot bring her back for my only son. I promise to use the money for my son’s education,” he remarks.