NAVI MUMBAI: A advocate and social worker in Navi Mumbai, Anshuvaardhaan, decided to spend some time in the current festive season with the underprivileged and homeless people outside Nerul railway station, after he was taken aback to see a young beggar woman, Puja Kamble (32), whose right eye was swollen and reddish as she was beaten up by her selfish boyfriend.
Puja has no support system or parents, and has to beg for survival.
Along with her, some leprosy afflicted people are also homeless here. The advocate purchased food and medicines for Puja and others, while urging NGOs and others to try and help such people in their localities and make a difference for those who the society barely notices while rushing past them.
"We all like to celebrate Diwali with our families. However, I was shocked to see the condition of this beggar woman, Puja, at Nerul (east), as her eye was swollen, while she begged for money. When I asked her what happened, she said that her angry lover, Sandeep Kamble, had physically assaulted her. She had not taken any medicines since the beating, as she is also not able to walk properly due to an earlier disability. I therefore purchased eyedrops for her," said Anshuvaardhaan.
He further added: "It felt nice and joyful to help out an injured woman in my own personal capacity. There were a few other homeless people there, some suffering from leprosy. An aged man called Chaand Baba also lives on the streets and tries to help them out. It will be good if any social NGO also comes forward to help such people, who seem to be overlooked even by our political netas.''
Social activist of Social and Evangelical Association for Love (SEAL), Pastor Biju Mathew, told TOI: "Our volunteers will also try to go to Nerul station in order to offer medical assistance to the injured beggar, Puja. Also, we will ask her if she wants to lodge a police complaint against the man who hit her. It is unfortunate that a countless number of homeless persons simply lie on the streets and stations, without any proper food or medical assistance."
The original name of Puja is `Varsha Tivikhram;, but after she came in contact with the Mankhurd based man, Sandeep Kamble, she changed her name to Puja, informed Anshuvaardhaan.
