This elderly woman in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh was abandoned by her relatives by the side of the road and left to die.
An unknown stranger came across her pitiful condition and decided to help. She posted about the entire ordeal — from meeting the poor old woman on the street up until her eventual rescue — on a local news page on Facebook.
Her post, written in Hindi, is translated below:
“I have recently experienced a situation while I was travelling to Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh.
I saw this elderly woman lying near Govt District Hospital in a harrowing situation. Initially, I hesitated to help her thinking she might be mentally ill, but seeing her plight I couldn’t resist and went up to ask her: Amma kya hua kuchh madat karu? khana laau?” She nodded at me and I brought some food for her.
I did the same thing on the same evening, worrying about what will happen to her when I will be going back to my work after 2 days.
But then, I experienced something. Two young guys approached me and said that they also wanted to help this old lady, but didn’t know how to. They said that her relatives left her here to die and suggested if we can ask an NGO or old age home for help.
We decided to help the situation, rather than leaving the old woman dying on the road.
On September 6, we contacted Amarjeet Singh Sudanji, a well-known social worker, and he asked us for details and photos so that he can reach out to NGOs for help.
By noon, he confirmed us that there is bed arranged in Ujjain and we need a letter from police authority for approval.
Meanwhile, the message spread over social media like fire, and many people started coming forward to help.
As soon as we reached to Khargone collector Mr Verma, he immediately called the CMHO and other authorities to help the elderly woman. She was then admitted to the hospital and the administration told us that once she gets recovered, they will transfer her to an old age home. All of this took place in a time span of 12 hours.
And that’s when I realized that it’s always about the first step. There’s always someone around to help, you just have to be the first to initiate the change.”
It’s amazing to think that the kindness of a complete stranger changed someone’s entire life. Now, this poor lady will be able to live in a safe environment, with food to eat, and people to take care of her in her old age.
A wonderful ending to a tragic story. The world needs more people like this.