80-Year-Old Sick Woman Deserted By Kin In Odisha’s Bargarh Jungle

Baragarh: An 80-year-old sick woman was left to fend for herself in Barpahad forest  by her own relatives. She lived in the jungle for 15 days alone amid wild animals not knowing how to escape from that predicament until Sankalp, a voluntary group of youth, rescued her and admitted her to Khedapali Government Hospital.

Kaushalya who hails from Ghanaghati village in Kharmunda panchayat under Atabira police station limits has two grown up sons who live with her husband and three daughters who were all married off. After her elder son’s death, her husband, daughter-in-law, a son and grand children reside in her village home. Her family members left an ailing Kaushalya in a polythene sheet covered hut in the jungle instead of admitting her to the hospital.

According to locals, Kaushalya’s relatives and villagers ex-communicated her family after they spotted a white patch on her hand. Even worms infested a wound on her skalp due to lack of proper treatment. The relatives, ultimately got rid of the sick woman and organised a community feast after deserting the octogenarian woman in the jungles.

The woman lived in the leaking hut for 15 days despite incessant rain. On receipt of information, Sankalp, a voluntary group that takes care of destitues, reached Kaushalya and admitted her to hospital in an 108 ambulance. On persuation, Kaushalya’s younger son agreed to accompany her to the hospital.