Stany Bela

Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri

Moodbidri, Mar 28: After publishing a heartbreaking story of two physically challenged siblings from Kodikal who were later rehabilitated by White Doves, Daijiworld is receiving many requests from various parts of the coastal region to publish such stories. Considering the ethics of a media house and its social responsibility, we guided many to the right NGOs and government bodies.

But in the case of Shanthi, a 26-year-old mentally ill girl,who is kept locked inside her room since the last six years, we are compelled to publish because she and her family are the victims of negligence of government local bodies and social welfare authorities.

Shanthi is the daughter of Dharmapalan and Shakthi Kani. Twenty-six years back, Dharmapalan, a native of Tamil Nadu, migrated to Pilipanjara near Moodbidri and set up a small business of selling bakery items to shops.

When Shanthi was born, it was happy moment for the couple and up to six years she grew up like a normal child. Dharmapalan admitted her to school near Moodbidri. But one night she started to scream and started showing abnormal symptoms. The next day her parents took her to a doctor for medical checkup who prescribed medicines. But Shanthi did not stop the screaming and started to act differently. She started to run away from the house and her parents were forced to lock her up.  

When she crossed her teenage, her parents could not control her inside the house. She started to remove the clothes she wore and her parents were compelled to lock her inside a room which is happening since the last six years.

“We cannot leave her free. If she is left outside, she will run around the houses of the neighbours and destroy their things and break glasses of their windows. Once she runs, it is very difficult to catch her. We have faced same problem two–three times. She also does not listen to wear clothes. She becomes more violent when she sees the sunlight. So we are compelled to lock her inside the room. Since 2013, we are giving food to her from window. She does not take bath also. She passes urine and stool inside the room and sleeps there. Sometimes she throws out her stools from window. With the help of neighbours, my wife shifts her to another room for few minutes to clean her room once a week. But from last fifteen days, no one has cleaned her room because my wife is admitted in hospital for the treatment of breast cancer. I am helpless.” Dharmapalan says in tears.

Glenda Nisha D’Sa, the social worker through whom Daijiworld came to know the plight of Shanthi said “ Four years back when I visited Dharmapalan’s house for the purpose of census, I noticed Shanthi who was locked inside the room. I learnt that she is mentally ill from many years. With tears, the parents explained their helplessness. I approached many NGOs and social workers for her rehabilitation. But all my efforts went in vain. But I used to visit Shanthi regularly and many times advised the parents to shift her to hospital. But the poor financial condition and lack of knowledge on proceedings they could not make alternative facilities for Shanthi. Hearing someone's advice they performed few poojas hoping Shanthi would be healed “

When our team reached Dharmapalan’s house, the neighbours gathered and alleged that the local body members, government officials of social welfare department who visit the houses for various reasons know the situation of Shanthi and her parents. Locals requested the authorities many times to do something. But none of them showed any interest or sympathy on this family. It is government's responsibility to take initiative to rehabilitate such personalities and assist families who are facing such issues. Development is not limited to roads and street lights, they complained.

Now Shanthi should be given freedom from the locked room. She is eligible for all types of humanitarian concern and better treatment. Government authorities, especially local administration, should intervene immediately on this issue and find out solution. Hope NGOs also will consider this matter on priority.