INDIA: Former Scientist Serves Home For Aged Shelterless

LUCKNOW, Uttar Pradesh (The Hindustan Times), June 8, 2006: She is the most-oft spotted face in the city’s elite circuit. Standing out at that, with her bindi as in her name, the multi-faceted Kumkum Roy Choudhury. After her successful 21-year stint as senior scientific officer at DMSRD (Defense R&D Wing), Kumkum now strives to handle many a role as Assistant Director Worker (Events & Products) at Sahara India Pariwar. Today, she is out to fulfill a very special dream with Chavi Shanti Dham for senior citizens — named after her mother and mother-in-law. It presently houses six inmates. Kumkum started the project three years back and opened her heart to the shelterless and aged in 2005. But the idea came to her way back! Recently, her huge collection of Lord Gahesh also found place in the Limca Book of Records. “My mother-in-law was bed-ridden for 10 years before she passed away in 1984. When we were looking after her in the last days I realised how much attention an old person needs from his family members. Since then, it was in my subsconscious to do something for the aged and shelterless,” says Choudhury. Taking up social causes since early days was always her habit. Inclined towards children of ‘a lesser god’ she used to spend time with them and besides this Dham, she is associated with five homes for children and visits them regularly. “After setting up the Dham, much of my time goes here. Earlier, whenever anything used to disturb me, I would rush to these homes and rejuvenate myself meeting the children and others there,” she recalls. Today, her heart and hearth are open to the need. People who stay at her Dham include neglected old people. For example, one person has a family but after being deserted by his wife and kids, it was at the Dham that he found joy and a new vigour. “But we don’t force people to stay here.” She clarifies. Some days back an old inmate had a prostate problem. We got him operated upon and soon his kids realised their mistake and requested us to allow him to return to them. This re-union gives us such joy that surely is priceless,” says Choudhury emotionally. Along with husband Ashok Roy Choudhury and daughters, Kumkum celebrates all small and big occasions with the inmates at the Dham. “Come what may, in the evening, I have to be there for some time. This has became my lifeline now.” But running such a big project is a big task. The Dham has facilities for proper security, make-shit ambulance, caretaker, food and full medical attention. “We charge a token amount of Rs 3,000 from the inmates but the facilities we provide cost much more. Though, we have obtained the tax-free donation provision from the IT Department under Section 80G, we need funds to expand the Dham,” she says. To raise funds for the Dham and extend help to the widows of martyrs, they will be organising a mega event ‘Galaxy’ in October. Under the banner of M House Arts Pvt Ltd, mega stars from Bollywood will perform at the big event. “This will a memorable show and talks are on with young mega stars to finalise the date and all formalities,” she says. Indeed, noble lady, noble aims. By Deep Saxena © HT Media Ltd. 2006.