When I was studying in Bangalore 1986, I once went to Malleswaram vegetable market .It was raining heavily and I saw a VERY OLD extremely frail old lady huddled in one corner of an abandoned shop .She was very fair and wore Mysore silk sari.She was shivering and I knew something

was wrong. When I offered her hot tea she gobbled it . I couldn’t ask her anything as my kannada was bad and the neighbouring shop ppl told me she was there last 2 days with No food and help . Apparently she was ABANDONED by her rich sons from Mysore ! When I said that I will

Take her to my sisters house she refused. May be she was terrified of being betrayed. So I went home and brought my sister with me . We carried food and some clothes including warm blankets . She took everything just thanked with her eyes. She again rejected our offer to come

home . My sister everyday at sharp 12 noon - with all hundred responsibilities ( bedridden mother in law , a large joint family , school going kids ) would take fresh hot food , towels , fruits n water to her. This continued for more than a month and one day she agreed to come

home for a bath! My sister n I were ecstatic . We bought soft cotton sarees for her , new soaps Satvik food was made! She never spoke a word even after bath food and rest. When we said that she can stay with us she refused. For another 2 months she used to come home every few

Days for bath . But food we used to take it to that old market corner shop. Still no sign of sons! nothing ! Finally my sister convinced her to move to an old age home that she patronised. We ensured we met her often and looked after her well being . Much later 2 refugees

from Burma landed at our door step. Again very old and so adorable. Mother and daughter both looked like same age may be because of deprivation . For months we engaged them and they used to Speak ! Much later they also moved to the old age home. I feel that this gave me more

Happiness than all the Awards I got for my professional work .We(3 sisters) still continue this work .As far as ABANDONMENT is concerned ! It should be a punishable offence . I thank our Hon’ble PM @narendramodi for having always stood up for seniors and respecting Mothers