: Only a day before 87-year-old Kanaklata Adhikari arrived in Kolkata, she said there was no place where she could stay, except Vrindavan and will die if she is asked to leave the temple town. Although she had recollections about her sisters in Kolkata, she said she was not aware of their whereabouts. Only a day later, on Saturday, she was surrounded by her nephew and niece and their children who took a tram-ride across the city.
The reunion, which comes after seven decades, has not only astonished Kanaklata and her family members, but also the representatives of the voluntary organisation Sulabh International, who have brought 60 widows from Vrindavan and Varanasi to the city to participate in Durga Puja festivities.
“I had never though that I will meet them [her family members],” Kanaklata told The Hindu , surrounded by her family members.
The reunion itself was a matter of chance. It was an encounter with Samar Adhikari, son of Kankaklata’s sister Anjali at Binani Bhavan, where the widows are staying presently for Durga Puja that resulted in the reunion. Samar, who works as an electrician had gone for an electrical repair at the guest house when his eyes fell on Kanaklata.
“My brother (Samar) recognised Bodo Maa (aunt), but she could not recognise him. He returned to the house and announced that Bodo Maa had arrived,” Subhas Adhikari, nephew of Kanaktala, told The Hindu .
The family members remained with Kanaklata throughout the evening enjoying a tram-ride through the Kolkata Maidan.
“We want to take her to our home. But she does not want to stay with us,” Subhas said, adding that his aunt has agreed to come to their home for a few hours.
Stating that the entire family is delighted on his aunt’s return, Subhas laments that his mother who passed away a few weeks ago would have been elated to meet her sister.
“She burst into tears when her family members met her. Despite being rejected by the family, we could see how affectionate she was towards her nephew and niece,” Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International said.
Mr Pathak added that it is these small things — a little happiness for the widows who lived a life of neglect — which help the organisation to strive and work for the well-being of the widows.
