Rajender Gulati, his wife Kamlesh Gulati:
Rajender Gulati and his wife have been living in the old age home in Bindapur for the last three years after they had to be separated from their children as none of them were ready to take their responsibility. “We have a daughter and two sons, but none of them are ready to take our responsibility. They left us in the old age home three years ago, and my wife and I have adjusted to our life here now. I get good food on time. There is a television set in the common area; if I want to watch it I can go there,” Mr. Gulati said.
Ms. Gulati, who has a problem in her knees, sits in her room most of the time. The only satisfaction she has currently is that she is living with her husband. Mr. Gulati and his wife have been given the same room at the home.
“I miss my children of course and if I had an option to live with them I would have loved to, but I know it’s not possible. Life in the old age home is not bad. I have difficulty in walking because of my knee problem, so I am restricted to my room; otherwise I used to take a walk on the premises and spend time with other women at the home,” she said.
H.K. Ghai:
H.K. Ghai, who retired as a senior manager from a five-star hotel, came to the old age home in Bindapur some 16 years ago. Mr. Ghai who comes from a well-off family is also one of the many at the home, whose children did not want to live with them despite all the facilities. “I do not have a problem living here. I get good food; I have made some good friends; I watch television and read newspapers. I am 85 years old and I have been able to survive this long only because I am living here,” he said.
“I do miss my family, but now I think it’s alright not to live with them. Love starts deteriorating after a point in life,” Mr. Ghai said.
Mr. Ghai has one son and two daughters, who occasionally call him at the old age home. His only problem at the home is the permanent lock on the gates. “Why do they keep us locked up? Are we some criminals who will run away?” he said.
Nirmala and Chandrakanta:
Nirmala and Chandrakanta are sisters, who came to the Bindapur home some four months ago. The newest entrants, the sisters are still trying to figure out life away from relatives and family.
“We are getting adjusted to our life here. I do not feel bad here because my sister lives with me. We talk and go for a walk on the premises. My only problem is we are not allowed to walk out when we want to. The gates are always locked up and we have to seek permission from the people here if we want to go out,” said Nirmala.
Chandrakanta agreed with Nirmala: “I also have a problem with being locked up inside the premises. We can go out if we want, but the movement is not free. Once I asked the people at the home, but they said that they lock up the premises because of the fear that some mentally-challenged senior citizens might run away.”
