KOTA: The quiet village of Piplodi turned to sad silence when the roof of the government upper primary school crashed on July 25, taking away the lives of seven innocent children. Among the victims were the son and daughter of 32-year-old Binti Bai and the only son of 36-year-old Rajubai Lodha. Both women had previously chosen to stop having children by sterilisation, as their families felt complete. But losing their children changed everything. Binti Bai lost her 7-year-old son Kanha and 10-year-old daughter Meena in the tragic accident. After the collapse, she stopped speaking, refused food, and couldn’t sleep. Her husband, Chotulal, a daily-wage labourer, watched helplessly as his wife withdrew into despair. Rajubai’s 10-year-old son Kartik also died in the collapse. She already had three daughters, and since the son was seen as the one to carry the family name, his death hit her hard. Her youngest daughter, Aarti, survived but suffered a crushed leg and is still receiving treatment. Rajubai’s husband, Harakchand, a farmer, shared, “After Kartik's death, my wife couldn't sleep or eat. Her condition deteriorated, haunted by her inability to conceive again and no boy to carry the bloodline. Now she's regaining health. Her smile is back - instilled with hope. We're praying for a son.” The deep-rooted belief in Indian society that only sons can carry on the family lineage adds to this pain. While daughters are loved, they are often seen as leaving their parents’ house after marriage, unlike sons who perform important family rituals and uphold the family name. Currently, with the help of district administration and doctors, both women have undergone tubal ligation reversal surgery - a rare procedure to reopen their fallopian tubes and give them a chance to conceive again. Rajubai had her surgery in late September at Heera Bai Kanwar women's hospital in Jhalawar, and Binti Bai followed on October 29. Her husband expressed cautious hope: “Kanha's loss is irreparable. But the operation has given fresh hope.” Dr. Sajid Khan, Chief Medical Health Officer of Jhalawar, explained that such procedures are only done in "the rarest of rare" cases. He added, “We did it to instil hope for life in two families. Both were devastated, in deep shock and depression. Our psychologists convinced them they could regain motherhood.” District Collector Ajay Singh Rathore assured that if needed, the women can access IVF treatment in cities like Kota or Jaipur. A medical board is also in place to decide on further treatments. Psychiatrist Dr Rashid Gauri led the counselling sessions and said, “The absence of hope for a child after tubal ligation was the core of their shattered mental status. Three months of sessions prepared them mentally and physically for the surgery.” This tragic event shows how deeply cultural beliefs and personal losses intertwine, but it also shines a ray of hope as medical science and heartfelt care come together to help these mothers imagine a future again.