Source of succor for aged women deserted by kin

Kamareddy: Deserted by their near and dear in their old age, a group of 25 women senior citizens are taking shelter at a home for the aged being run on the outskirts of Kyasampalli by Sarada Devi, wife of a retired judge. They complain that their children no longer required their services and hence deserted them. But, they eagerly await their near and dear to come to their rescue. With none to enquire about their well-being, they have been leading a miserable life. For all such women, Sarada Devi, who is running a home for the aged, has become their guardian.

Describing the objective for starting the home, Sarada Devi said she lost her mother during her childhood. She was brought up by her relatives and encountered many problems during childhood. Sarada Devi started the home in 2004 and has been running it with the help of philanthropic public and also spending from the salary of her husband, a judge. The inmates belong to Kamareddy region, Medak, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Hyderabad. In recognition of her services, Sarada Devi has been recently honoured with Mahila Ratan award.

She diverts the attention of the aged as and when they get depressed about their plight by conducting singing contests and narrating cinema stories and other short stories. The home is being run from a rented house. VIPs of the town and traders have been supporting the home by donating funds. Some others donate in kind rice, textiles among others to maintain the Home. Government of Telangana has been introducing many schemes for the benefit of the poor. But, many feel that it should come to the rescue of homes being run by people like Sarada Devi.

By Amber Rajashekar Rao