Stany Bela
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangaluru, Mar 19: If one sees the skyscrapers and density of vehicles, the city of Mangaluru is developing at a fast pace. But in the midst of hailing the development works and projects, many a times people forget about those who struggle for one square meal. Kiran and Charan, the physically challenged siblings in Kodikal, is a duo, forgotten and ignored, with nobody around them to pay heed to their grievances.
Charan (27), physically challenged by birth, is mute and cannot stand and Kiran (35), also physically challenged, live at Katte near Kodikal.
The two brothers have been living here since many years with their mother. The lives of the brothers took a miserable turn after their mother passed away last month. Now there is no one to take care of the brothers who are struggling to get one meal a day.
When a team from Daijiworld visited the brothers’ house, Kiran, the elder brother narrated their ordeal. “After our mother passed away, there is no one to give us food, bath and help us with our daily needs. Our aunt Nalini, residing in the neighbourhood used to visit us daily with food and water. She had a bad fall near her house and she is bed-ridden now. My younger brother Charan, due to his disability, cannot move freely and passes urine and stool inside the house.
"This is not our house. It was given by one of our relatives following continuous requests from our mother. Our mother was our only hope. She served us till last month. We are now orphans. Charan cannot speak or stand properly. He is in pain the entire night due to some nerve related problem. Meanwhile, I cannot move my right hand after I suffered a fracture two years ago. With my aunt bed-ridden, we do not get food to eat now. It is very difficult to manage my brother and clean the house. The house here is stinking badly as no one has come since a week. We helpless and waiting for death,” he said.
When the team visited the duo’s aunt Nalini, she said, “Charan and Kiran were looked after by their mother. But unfortunately she died last month and the brothers were left orphans. I started to serve them food and clean their house. After suffering a bad fall, doctors advised to me bed rest for six months. Now no one goes to their house. They will die if they are not given food and water. It is my request to NGOs and governmental bodies functioning in the city to kindly look into the matter.”
Anand, the social worker through whom Daijiworld came to know the plight of the brothers, said, “I was helping the brothers from the past many years giving them clothes and groceries. After their mother’s death, there is no to serve them. With no one visiting them from the past one week, foul smell is emanating from the house. It is better for government officials or NGOs to look into this and save the brothers from death.”
The tragic story of Charan and Kiran is one of the heart-rending stories from our smart city. There could be many more similar incidents in pockets of Mangaluru. It is very necessary to rehabilitate these types of people. All we can do is hope that the government and NGOs look into this matter seriously and take Charan and Kiran under their care.