Nabarangpur, Jan, 19: An elderly woman has become the guiding light for her blind niece, leading her forward despite her own old age. Such a touching and rare sight can be seen in Nabarangpur town.
Damuni Goud, who is blind, is a resident of Nuaguda village under Sindhiguda Panchayat of Nandahandi Block in Nabarangpur district. In her old age, her greatest support has become her elderly grandmother, Dhanmati Goud. Even at 70 years of age, Dhanmati stays beside her granddaughter and takes constant care of her.
When Damuni’s parents were alive, the blind girl lived a comparatively stable life. However, after the death of both her father and mother five years ago, she became completely alone. With no one to support her, she had to face extreme hardship.
At that difficult time, her grandmother Dhanmati, who was living in Saruguda village, left her own home and village to come and stay with her granddaughter. At present, both of them are living together in Nuaguda village.
As far as government assistance is concerned, Damuni receives 5 kg of rice and a disability pension of ₹3,000. Similarly, Dhanmati receives an old-age pension of ₹1,000, but she does not receive any rice at all.
It has also come to light that both of them do not receive their pensions on time. Due to this distressing situation, the two women are forced to walk nearly 5 kilometres from their village to Nabarangpur town to beg for alms.
Seeing their painful struggle for survival, intellectuals have appealed to the district administration and kind-hearted individuals to come forward and help them.