Mavelikkara: Instances of children abandoning parents are not unheard of even though our society revers the old. Though Kerala is comparatively better off for old people and even geriatric-care services are excellent, occasionally we come across heart-wrenching tales about the plight of senior citizens. A 93-year-old woman who was abandoned by her own son at an old-age home in Kollam has now been brought back home more than a year later by another son, though after overcoming a legal hurdle.
Bhargaviamma of Thazhakara village in Kerala's Alappuzha district had to go through agonising times for over a year. Her husband Raghavan had died earlier. One of her sons, who was working abroad, admitted the nonagenarian at the old-age home near Karunagappally in Kollam district without informing the relatives. As he kept family members at a distance, none knew that Bhargaviamma, who stayed with him, was shifted to the shelter.
Another son, Vinay Babu of Eravankara, came to know of this through a friend.
Babu searched several old-age homes and orphanages but in vain. It was a who neighbour came across Bhargaviamma by chance about 1.5 months ago and informed him. Though he rushed to the old-age home, the authorities were unable to send Bhargaviamma with him due to legal hurdles.
Subsequently, Babu gave a complaint to the Mavelikkara tahsildar S Santhosh Kumar.
After completing legal procedrures, Chengannur Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) allowed Bhargaviamma to go with Babu. Theold woman was finally taken to her younger son's home on Friday evening.
Chengannur Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Usha Kumari and Mavelikkara tahsildar S Santhosh Kumar were also present when she was taken home. The RDO said that she would take further legal action over the incident.
