Endowment of Starvation

Story of a mother selling her child for a meal (25 October 2006)

Sun couldn’t get hotter that day. Travelling at this peak time through the streets of Kochi can be a real challenge to dare.

It was an afternoon. Murukan was serving as a child line worker those days. The clock stroked 2 and a call came to child line toll free number. The information received by him could make the humanity question its existence; A mother bargaining on her own child at Ambedkar stadium. On hearing this Murukan along with other child line workers started their journey towards the mother.

As they stepped out on the street, they saw a woman holding an infant in her hands, bargaining with a person nearby. As Murugan got closer, their conversations were getting clearer,

“500 for this child”, cried the mother.

As they got closer, the man who stood near the mother saw them and started to run, as of escaping. Without wasting time, Murugan contacted the nearby Police Station and passed on the information.

After few minutes, women police, SI Parvathy and her team came to the rescue place. It was a struggle, trying to save the infant from his mother as she hesitated to handover the child to them willingly. They tried their best but she fought physically with them, trying to escape. In the middle of this entire crisis that few months old baby boy started to cry.

This entire resistance of the woman didn’t take much time to capture the attention from the public. They gathered around in groups observing everything. Finally, the police officers succeeded in saving the infant from that woman. While guiding them to the rescue vehicle, Murugan heard some of the people whispering among themselves in crowd, “See another child is crying over there.”

Suddenly that woman cried and said aloud, “that’s my child.”

Murugan found the child nearby, he was crying watching everything. He guided that child to the rescue vehicle along with his mother and the infant. They were taken to Pallithuruth Agathymanthiram. Later it was informed by the officials at Agathymanthiram that the woman, Vijayamma, had some mental instability that caused her to behave as such.

‘It was difficult seeing a mother selling her own child for a meal that day’, Murugan sighed. Cases like this are many only some of them are exposed to the society.

Hope Rewards Happiness

‘Hope is the only thing stronger than FEAR.’ This is what Lakshmi’s story has to say to the world.

Eyes sunken down deep, skin sticking to bones; featuring a body that starved for days, this was Lakshmi. No response to anything when asked. Her history was a mystery to the people there. A few years back when she was found, she communicated in a language that sounded as a combination of Malayalam and Tamil. During those days she lived near Thuravoor Junction’s nearby small forest like space in a plastic tent which she made all by herself.

Even when her body looked weak, she was a woman of strong mind that helped her survive. Every day she would go door to door of each house cleaning and plucking out the weeds nearby that house. Sometimes she would get something from the house for the work she did, sometimes she doesn’t; If not she moves to the next door doing the same. Some days she starves for she doesn’t get anything for her work. This was nothing compared to the things that night had given her. Night time was the difficult time of the day to Lakshmi. There were people who used to approach her tent at night, trying to attack or abuse her. Still she wasn’t noticed by any of the Charity and street trustees. Thus she continued living in that plastic tent in fear of these men. She wasn’t alone there; snakes, rats and other rodents accompanied her in that tent.

Even at those difficult times, she had a hope that someday; someone will come to rescue her from that living hell. Even if she couldn’t sleep or eat, she wished to be safe from the night attackers who tried to abuse her without considering her as a human being.

All her wishes came true when Murugan found her and bought her to ‘Theruvoram’ on 7 July 2013. Now, she is not alone anymore, she doesn’t have to be scared anymore. She was in a safe shelter; Theruvoram. 

MAYILAMMA BACK TO STREET AGAIN…….!!!!

Mayilamma who lived under the south over bridge more than 10 years rescued by Theruvoram last few months back sent to Tamil Nadu with her relatives back to street again!!!

Mayilamma is a great personality gave me an insight to devote the life for the destitute in street through her life.

Still I remember how I met her first time. It was a busy day while waiting for green signal in south over bridge, I saw an old lady who rashly running with her waste baggage in the middle of the traffic block. She looked so tired and her body was too weak, even though she tried to move faster than the vehicles when the green signal on. Then I wished to help the old lady. But when the signal changed, she disappeared in the crowd.

Next time also I missed the chance to meet her, fact that I drive for a passenger. Next day morning I searched her near south over bridge area. At last I found her small shelter build with plastic sheets and cupboards under the over bridge with the help of native people. I was really surprised to see the way she kept her small shelter tidy and clean. Mayilamma had a lovely pet dog called Chinnan who take care her collected waste about to sale. He started to bark at me. Mayilamma came out from her shelter. Then I introduced myself and she offered me a cup of tea and shared her life story.

Her family belongs to Tamil Nadu.After marriage , she reached in Kochi with her husband who died few years back. She did not have children too. She spent the entire money earned from the sale of waste bundles for buying food for street children without any savings, so she is favourite of everybody. She worships all Gods irrespective of religion by wearing many Rosary Beds, Rudrakshamala with God lockets too!! She added , she could not go for work every day because of the body pain. But her determination and will power give her the confidence to do work and satisfy the hunger of children living in the street even her body is upset. By hearing the words I hugged the mother with more respect and love…..!!!

Unexpectedly I noticed an injury on her left toe which she covered with a cotton piece. I took medication for her injuries and other illness. She pleased to get medical treatments and improved her health. I convinced her about the security and care needed in the old age period and made all arrangements to stay in an old age home. She too understood the realities and agreed. But I too worried by seeing her dilemma about her pet dog and the street children love her very much. Her few relatives in Tamil Nadu showed the interest to take care her. Mayilamma was so thrilled to hear the happy news from me. So she went to Tamil Nadu happily with her relatives few months back!!!!
Mayilamma is a special one I rescued from the street who taught me valuable lesson to love and live for the street by earning income even in the old age time with strong determination and hard work.

Actually I did not have the complete will to send her with her relatives. If I had my own shelter home I will take care without any issue.

Last Friday, I had a call from Mrs Susy Madam working as ticketing officer in railways. She informed me that an old lady was sitting in front of her gate near Kumaranasan Nagar. Jana Maythri police arrived the spot when I reached there.

I was shocked to see Mayilamma and called” Amma”
Mayilamma gave no response at all. After a while she said I could not see anything in the dark and my eye sight is so poor. I told her “Have you ever been heard my voice?”

She recollected my name ended in a big cry. I asked her to know how she back in street.

Her relatives in Tamilnadu took her all gold ornaments and started to torture her. But she is ready to suffer all pains that she loved to stay with family than staying in an old age home. Last day her relatives throw her out from the train when Kochi station arrived. The very next day morning onwards she collected waste to find the livelihood. Evening she could not see anything because of poor vision and her body is too weak to walk.

I was really confused for a while that Mayilamma won’t like to stay in old age home. Her relatives need her wealth only. We together travelled in my Auto rickshaw….
While sitting inside rickshaw she asked me: Can I come with you dear son? Will you accommodate me in your house?

Really I wished to take her to my home. Unfortunately I don’t have own house and staying in a rented house with my big family it is not possible. If I had a shelter home I will take care. It is a hard truth that no one in the world wanted to live in old age home and lonely environment even they provided timely food and medical care. At last her relatives in Kochi promised me to take care her .

While back to home I cried by thinking about Mayilamma. She loved every one and gave her all wealth to other without any expectation. I too helpless to give her a shelter . Dear friends please do take care your aged parents with more love and peaceful family atmosphere. Because they wish to stay with family not the loneliness in shelter homes. They ready to sacrifice all pains to get the joy of family atmosphere always. Wish you all pray for the loving mother better health in the coming days!!!

Demons in God's own country!! Should i protect myself, or the helpless old lady????

I cannot say challenges are new for me or difficulties unknown to me There are many cases i have attended and i got positive as well as negative outcomes. 

Unfortunately, I have to attend a case today."It is my everyday prayer to rescue at least a man from the street a day". Today morning i was too eager to attend a rescue operation of an old woman who lived alone in her home without getting any proper care in the serious health conditions. Because of some prevailing issues i don't have the permission to reveal her name.More interesting fact about the case is that a senior Police Officer called me directly over my mobile and asked to rescue the old lady. Which increase my confidence to attend the case without any risk.

I reached the old Mom's house by evening 4.30pm, which situated at Kizhakkambalam panchayat in Ernakulam district.Two police men also assisted to rescue the old lady because of the absence of police officer.I have n't seen any crowed or neighbours in the home when i entered into the house. The door was closed. I ring the bell a number of times. No response. Then i saw a window partially opened. I was shocked to see that an old lady laying on her motion spread over the floor and the nasty smell hit on my nose. Policemen and me together tried to open the main door and went inside the house. The lady was crying for water.By seeing her condition i understood that she need urgent primary medical treatment to make her alive!! Before that it is necessary to get information about her family members, relatives any would like to help her.

When i come outside the house, i was really wandered to see a big crowed in front of the house within five minutes!! A ten minutes discussion with the natives helped me to get understand few things about the old lady.She is an owner of the property and 10 cent plot . She had more than 3 lakhs rupees deposit in bank too. She prepared a will of document to transfer the assets in the name of a temple.Her relatives opposed her decision and they filed a allegation in court for partition of the property awaiting action. She did not have own children too. After the discussion me and policemen told them that she need urgent medical aid for brought her life back. We decided to admit her in a hospital.

By the time two drunkard men from the crowed come forward and shouted me: "Who the fuck are you to take her to the hospital??? Then he started to beat even the police men. Every one standing in the crowed watching the seen while the old lady trying badly to inhale. Suddenly, two well dressed ladies came into the seen and introduced themselves as the president and member of the panchayat. Without hearing or watching anything the two blinds stated opposing us and supported the drunkard men by saying "We will not allow any one to touch on the old lady"?
Then i asked them;" who will take care the old lady ,counting for last days???. She replied "Non of your business.
Now i clearly understand that money is the matter make the politicians, leaders, even the panchayat president to do business,, not service.!!!!!! Those Mafia behind the property allegation frightened and anxious whether they loose everything if we take care the old lady.

The tricks and plays they performed to portion the old lady's wealth with utmost unity and team work if they bring out for some good thing they will get national award!!! We have to quit from there . The old lady on the bed watched all the rock show for her wealth and she whispered for water.
Who cares her??? They want her money. Really i felt i am living in a Demon God's own country. Sorry mother, i too helpless !!

SRI SRI RAVISHANKRJI WITH MURUGAN S THERUVORAM KOCHI

SRI SRI RAVISHANKRJI WITH MURUGAN S THERUVORAM KOCHI

SRI SRI RAVISHANKRJI WITH MURUGAN S THERUVORAM KOCHI

SRI SRI RAVISHANKRJI WITH MURUGAN S THERUVORAM KOCHI

SRI SRI RAVISHANKRJI WITH MURUGAN S THERUVORAM KOCHI

MURUGAN KOCHI 

Add caption

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

 MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

 STREET MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

 STREET MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

 MURUGAN KOCHI 

MURUGAN KOCHI 

NATIONAL CHILD WELFARE AWARD 2011

Murugan S, a social worker and secretary of Theruvoram, an NGO for the welfare of street children, received the national award for Child Welfare instituted by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development from President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan on Wednesday. The award includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation— Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar