OTV Impact: Family Welcomes Back Abandoned Elderly Woman In Odisha

Bhadrak: A day after an OTV report showing ordeal of an elderly woman abandoned by her family members at an Aahaar centre in Chandbali area of the district, assistance poured in for the woman from various quarters with her son also welcoming her back to the family.

OTV extensively covered the report regarding the plight of the elderly woman, identified as Kuntala Pothala on Tuesday prompting the Orissa High Court to direct Bhadrak Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Sunita Rout for an enquiry about the situation and health condition of the woman. Subsequently, she was rescued by some locals with assistance from OTV representatives and local Tehsildar.

Many people who gathered at the Aahaar centre extended help to the elderly woman with some people offering her sarees while some others donated her blanket, slippers and food items.

She was later admitted to Chandbali community health centre (CHC) where JMFC Sunita Rout inquired about her health and other issues. She also arranged an attendant for the woman.

Later, the woman’s son Arun who lives in Khadijang village reached the CMC. He admitted that his family abandoned his mother due to repeated torture by his wife. Assuring that he would not let the incident happen, he said that his wife needs to be punished.

“I dropped my mother at the Aahar centre as my wife used to torture her. When I raised my voice, my sons and daughters also threatened to beat me up. Once my son had driven me out of the house and I had to take shelter near the village for supporting my mother," he said.