Radhamma, a resident of Sakshatkaram, the city Corporation’s beggar rehabilitation home at Kalladimugham, may finally be reunited with her brothers courtesy the efforts of the District Legal Services Authority.
Radhamma, who was missing from the home for five years, reached Sakshatkaram from the Mental Health Centre, Peroorkada. The DLSA, which provides legal help to Sakshatkaram authorities in locating the relatives of the residents, managed to find that Radhamma hailed from Pothencode grama panchayat and even owned land there.
Efforts were then made to trace her family with the help of paralegal volunteers and Balamurali, a ward councillor in the panchayat. They located two of her brothers, one of whom was living in poor circumstances. The other brother claimed that since Radhamma kept going off on her own, it was difficult to take care of her.
The DLSA then started making efforts to persuade the brothers to take care of Radhamma. On Friday, the brothers Peethambaran Nair and Sekhara Pillai appeared at an adalat conducted by the DLSA and expressed readiness to take Radhamma with them and look after her, said Sreeja Sasidharan, DLSA panel lawyer for providing legal aid to Sakshatkaram residents.
They were asked to meet Radhamma to see if she recognised them and wanted to go home with them. At Sakshatkaram, not only did she recognise them, but expressed willingness to go home with them.
However, as one of them, Peethambaran Nair barely makes ends meet with his pension, it was apparent that they would find the going tough. Moreover, the house on the land owned by her was in need of maintenance. It did not have electricity connection either.
Area ward councillor Devaki Amma and Mr. Balamurali expressed readiness to get the house repaired with support from the local people. However, as this could take time, Sakshatkaram authorities are on the lookout for sponsors for the repairs.
Once the work is over, Radhamma may be able to head to her house to live with her brother.