She needs help, can’t ask for it

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 5

A physically challengedwoman staying at Kungal Balti village near Nankhari in the Rampur area of Shimla district has no one to take care of her. Anitu, alias Nooni (26), who cannot stand, walk or speak, has virtually been dumped in a small room as her maternal grandparents with failing health are no longer in a position to look after her and want to handover the girl in safe hands so that she can live a dignified life.

Her grandparents, Ram Singh and Kampu Devi, said they did not want to be separated from the girl, but now all options were closed and they were worried what would happen to her after their death.

“The girl is living in an unhygienic condition with no medical check-up facility. She cannot move out of the stinking room even for easing herself,” said Ajay Srivastav, chairman, Umang Foundation, who went to the village after advocate Balwant Thakur informed him about the pathetic conditions under which Nooni had been living.

“She needs immediate medical check-up and rehabilitation and we have taken up the matter with Anuradha Thakur, Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment, and asked her to rescue the girl and send her to the home for destitute women,” said Srivastav. Since her mother abandoned her 25 years ago, her grandparents have been taking care of her, but due to old age it has now become impossible for them to look after her.

He said he was told by Ram Singh that her name was not entered in the family register of panchayat and due to difficult topography, poverty and lack of awareness, they could not get her to the doctor for medical check-up and treatment. Further, she is not getting any disability pension as she does not possess a disability certificate.