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Rukkhi:
born early 1970's, died November 9, 2008 survived by mother, two brothers, and two sons |
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Her friends say that Rukkhi was a "good lady" until her husband left her a few years ago -- she then started drinking and neglecting her kids, and her own life and health. It's sad to see beliefs play themselves out in tragic reality -- many women in India believe that if the husband leaves her, she is nothing and life is effectively over. But so many women believe this to be true. Rukkhi earned a living selling vegetables on the streets of Mysore, and used to engage her son's friends to help at a makeshift provision stand, selling items like soap and cigarettes to passers-by for extra income. |
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Nanjunda, Rukkhi's son, stays at our shelter, Karunya Mane. It was difficult to convince Rukkhi to let him go to boarding school last year, as his daily earnings from selling pens on the street went to her food and drink. Her friends insisted that she let him go to school, and then to come to stay at Karunya Mane this year, so that he could have a better life. She often fought with us, but we do believe that deep down mom knew that being off the street was better for her son. Rukkhi leaves her mom (shown below) who sat with her daughter every day on the street, selling their vegetables. They rented a house that they shared with their other son, but they did not always go home at night, preferring to sleep on the sidewalk that they had known for their entire lives. |
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© Operation
Shanti |
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