When people of her age sit at home and rest, 93-year-old Harapriya, ‘Harapriya Mausi’ to people in her locality, has been forced to sell paan in a makeshift shop near Town Hall Square in Manikhamba area of Balasore Town to make ends meet.
Harariya has a son who is confined to bed on account of acute kidney problems. This has forced the nonagenarian to start the shop in order to arrange two squares meals for them and lead a dignified life.
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“I don’t want to be a burden on anyone. I sell paan so that I can earn a respectful livelihood. I have a son who is suffering from kidney ailments and therefore, to run the house, I have to work,” said the gusty Harapriya with a grin while narrating her plight to an OTV correspondent.
She alleged that Swarup Kumar Das, the sitting BJD MLA from Balasore had visited before the Assembly elections in 2019 and assured her of financial assistance for a pucca house and toilet.
Moved by her appalling condition, the Congress’ MLA candidate in the last Assembly elections from the constituency, Nabajyoti Patnaik, had extended her a helping hand.
“Some people sent by Nabajyoti Patnaik came and renovated my house with asbestos and tarpaulin so that I and my son could at least have a roof overhead. I appreciate their efforts. They also celebrated Diwali with us and gave us sweets and clothes,” said the elderly woman.
“I am really happy that my supporters went to help her and celebrated Diwali with her. Her blessings count,” said Patnaik.
Harapriya was unforgiving on Swarup Das. “Swarup Das had come to me before elections and assured me help in building the house and toilet. After the elections, I tried to meet him for financial help but his men gave me only a piece of tarpaulin. The plastic cover also got damaged during monsoon rains and wind. Recently Nabajyoti Pattnaik heard about my plight from someone and sent help,” she added.
MLA Swarup Das or the Balasore district administration has yet to respond to Harapriya’s cry for help.