Mangalore: Vidya is 14...but is Still Like a Child
Daijiworld Media Network
Mangalore / Udupi , Mar 7: Readers of daijiworld.com may remember having recently gone through the story of a family, which is going through a tough life with all three children born to a mother are identical in healh and all are abnormal.
Here is another such story - of Vidya Devadiga, a 14-year-old daughter of the late Sundar Devadiga and Saraswathi Devadiga of Santhoor in Udupi taluk and district.
Earlier the family lived in Mumbai, with Sundar Devadiga running a tailoring shop for a living.
Vidya was born with a genetic complaint called Microcephalia. Although she did not look like a completely normal girl, until she attained the age of eight, there were no major problems. But from the age of eight, her health deteriorated because of the aforesaid complaint. Yet, for her mother, she was like any other child.
Vidya never talks or smiles. She rarely sleeps, but keeps wailing all the time. Every bit of her activity and condition has to be monitored and looked after by her mother. She is never able to take in any food, but accepts only liquids.
Having to look after her daughter right through the day and night, the mother cannot move out of the house.
Saraswathi, Vidya's mother received a huge blow in life, when her husband Sundar Devadiga died in Manipal Hospital in November 2006 at the age of 44. He had been under tremendous pressure and could not cope with the stress situation. He did his best to keep a balance in life, but suddenly fell ill. According to family sources, during the last stage, he did not get enough blood to survive, which resulted in his death.
With a double blow, of her 14-year-old Vidya bed-ridden and the loss of her husband, Sarasawathi was shattered further. She gets a meagre Rs 200 a month as governement support for her child, which is not enough to take care of the child for even two days.
Sarasawthi has another son, 17-year-old Chiranjivi, who is studying Givernment school, Padubidri who seems to be the only source of hope for his mother. To look after his sister and support his mother, he goes to work after school hours, and also during holidays. Nearby temple and neighbouring families give him job and thereby he earns a little.
Vidya, though 14 now, is still like child. The doctors have not given any hopes for better, but the mother has to tend the daughter. Vidya has to live as long as she is destined to live, in the same condition, unless help pours in to get her medically fit.
Speaking to daijiworld team, Saraswathi said, "I am shattered after my husband's death. My husband never allowed to seek money from others for my daughter's cause. He ran a tailoring shop here also, and we led a life of hardship but reasonably. My husband had to bear a lot since his old mother was bed-ridden for a long time and same was the case with the child."
"I lost hopes after my husband's death, but I now my hopes lie with my son. God gave me this child as my daughter. I accept it gracefully. I pray to God to give her long life like anyone else in the world. I will face life and I will bear it.....I trust in Almighty..."
We have several mothers in this world with various kinds of difficulties. Every mother cares for her child with a smile. To continue her life with at least a smile Sarasawthi needs support from people.
This is another such case daijiworld has presented to its readers, after studying the difficulties.
Dayan D`Souza, who has been instrumental in identifying and introducing to the people such cases has once again brought this case to light.
Many people, we are sure would like to contribute to this family and many other would want to visit them and give them encouragement.
Contact Dayan D`Souza 00971-50-6547235
Contributions can be sent direct to:
Saraswathi S Devadiga
Savings Bank Account No. 2694
Syndicate Bank
Kanjarkatte Branch, Udupi Dist
PIN 574139
Karnataka, India
Saraswathi's address:
Saraswathi Devadiga
Darkas House
Kanjarkatte Post
Udupi District
PIN 574139
Karnataka
Tel: 0091-9242782700