Daughter abandons aged mother on the road in Silchar; 66-year-old rescued by Subir Dhar and team

It is cold already. The mercury is dropping and discomfort is piling up, even for those who can afford quilts and live indoors. In such a scenario, Bela Rani Paul, found herself locked outside the house. Homeless, hopeless and abandoned. 

The 66-year-old was living with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. She has already lost a son, two daughters and her husband who used to work as an employee at a fair price shop. When Bela Rani thought her daughter will be the lamp to walk the dark roads at the last stage of her life, she was locked out.

Bela Rani was staying at a rented apartment in Silchar’s Michel Madhusudan Dutta Sarani. Her son-in law and daughter used to abuse, torture her every now and then, but she ignored or overlooked. However, in the last one month, it was going out of control. Bela Rani was thrown out frequently. She holds a ration card and the goods she is entitled to, was her contribution in the family. It was sufficient staple for the entire family and yet, Bela Rani Paul was called a burden.

Her daughter, Geeta married to auto-truck driver Bimal Das. On the first day of the year, they locked Bela Rani Paul outside and vacated the house before leaving for a new location, unknown to her. When locals saw her desolated out in the open, they called social worker and activist, Subir Dhar. Dhar got in touch with local Police and along with Pintu Deb, Sunny Chanda went to rescue the abandoned senior citizen.

Eventually, Dhar and Co. arranged a spot for her in the local old age home. “The fact that my daughter could abandon me in this manner after all that I have done has hit me as a shock is more traumatic than staying out in the open,” said Bela Rani. She was walking down the memory lane and narrating her stories with her husband. “If he was alive…” and there is no doubt that she will sleep with regrets for the rest of her life.

However, while speaking with Subir Dhar, she said, “I am going to the Old Age Home, but I want to bring my daughter, son-in-law under the scrutiny of the law. I want them to get exemplary punishment for the children to know that it is no fine to abandon parents at this age.” Speaking with Barak Bulletin, Dhar said that they will talk to Bela Rani Paul to decide the legal course of action.

At the same time, Dhar also informed, “Bela Rani Paul said that she will donate her ration items to the people in need. This, she said is something that will make her feel happy.” Her daughter was not worth the salt and that is something she has realised.