Goa, Sept. 6 -- A 50-year-old farmer from Kazur, Sanguem, is battling injuries and financial hardship after being attacked by a wild bear while preparing for Ganesh Chaturthi.

The victim, Ramdas Velip, was collecting betel nuts from his farm for the festival's matoli decoration when a bear, accompanied by its cub, suddenly mauled him. He suffered severe injuries to his head, hands, and legs and was admitted to Goa Medical College (GMC) for seven days. Though discharged, he remains in an injured state.

Ramdas, the sole breadwinner of a six-member family, has been unable to work since the incident. His dependents include his elderly mother, wife, and four children-three of whom are school-going, while the youngest is an infant. Earlier, h...