There are many regular customers for the lip-smacking ‘paruthi paal’ (cotton seed milk) sold by K. Bala Saraswathi (50) at the Collectorate and court complexes here, but none would have known the tragic tale of the woman, who had been in the business for more than four years.
After her marriage with P. Kulandaivelu, an office assistant in revenue department, 35 years ago, she had been leading a happy life, taking care of her two daughters and a son, till her husband suddenly went missing four years ago.
Kulaindaivelu, with no vices, earned about Rs. 20,000 a month and had been a great source of support for the family. When he went missing, the family lost its only breadwinner, and Ms. Bala Saraswathi started selling ‘paruthi paal’ to eke out a living.
With the little income from the household business, she helped her two daughters complete their graduation in Commerce, and got them married by disposing of some properties. But her son dropped out after class X, she says.
After several months of search, she located her husband in a marriage hall in Tiruchi. Despite his long absence, considerate officials re-employed him, considering his poor family background.
He was posted at Kadaladi, and he went missing again and could not be traced for nearly four years now.
Ms. Bala Saraswathi filed complaints with police, moved the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court with a habeas corpus petition and launched searches on her own, but Kulandaivelu could not be traced.
Having lost hope, she petitioned the Collector, pleading employment for her son on compassionate ground.
“I don’t know what the government rules say, but the Collector can come to my rescue,” says Ms. Bala Saraswathi.
The family has not received any financial assistance or compensation from the government, she adds.
She prepares seven litres of ‘paruthi paal’ every day, spending Rs. 500, and earns a profit of Rs. 300 by selling the home-made health drink at the court and Collectorate complexes, office of the Superintendent of Police and Kenikarai police station.
Her son, who works as an electric assistant, supplements the family income whenever he gets work, she says.
