Abandoned by family, 90-year-old woman donates life savings to old-age home in Alappuzha

Alappuzha, Kerala: A 90-year-old woman, abandoned by her relatives during her time of need, has chosen to donate her life savings of Rs 5.3 lakh to the state-run old age home where she currently resides, refusing to leave her wealth to those she says failed her. She handed over her bank deposit of Rs 5.3 lakh to the Kerala government's Social Justice Department, which currently supports her. The deposit has now been transferred to the management committee of the Arattupuzha Santhwanatheeram (government old age home), where she resides. 

Bharathiyamma, an unmarried resident of Mararikulam South panchayat, took this decision after her desire to spend the final years of life with her family was rejected by them.

When she became aged and ill, none of her relatives came forward to support her. In 2019, she was admitted to the government old age home in Mayithara, Cherthala. A year ago, due to her bedridden condition, she was moved to the Arattupuzha Santhwanatheeram facility.

About six months ago, she expressed to the superintendent her wish to live with her relatives. Though they were repeatedly informed and were legal beneficiaries of her bank deposits, none came forward to receive her or even visit her. This caused her deep emotional distress.

Eventually, she requested the superintendent to remove her relatives’ claim on her bank savings and asked for the amount to be used for the day-to-day needs of the home that cared for her.

Following her request, the matter was brought to the notice of the District Collector. The Additional District Magistrate then summoned the relatives and officials of the Social Justice Department for verification. Later, Bharathiyamma officially handed over the documents to Superintendent Viji George at the Santhwanatheeram.

Dr Arun S Nair, Director of the Department of Social Justice, said that if relatives fail in their moral responsibility to protect the elderly, they have no rightful claim to their assets. He added that the department will take necessary follow-up action in this regard.