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The following article appeared originally in Malayalam in Malayala Manorama (the most widely read newspaper in Kerala) on 6 August 2006.

Article on Santhinikethanam - Malayala Manorama, Sunday, 6 August 2006

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NONE

For Razia Bhanu, coming to Santhinikethanam with all that life had given her, was the first step. Razia, who lost her loving mother at the tender age of three, now has 9 ladies she calls her mothers at this Home. The doors of Santhinikethanam are open to those who have nobody to depend upon and those who are lonely. Sitting on the doorsteps of the Home, Razia Bhanu narrates her story, her misfortunes, love lost.

Her childhood days in her home at Selvi Colony at Vadakkanthara, Palakkad was like a poetry book. Of the seven children born to Abdul Wahab and Hajira, Razia was the sixth. After she lost her mother, she was under the loving care of her elder sisters. Her father worked at a private firm in the town. Life appeared to pass smoothly for her in those days. Gradually, one by one, her sisters got married. In Razia's memory, those occasions were like grand festivals. Slowly, though, she fell into the grip of loneliness.

She studied at the Moyan Girls' High School, Palakkad. In class and outside, she always came into contact with those who were suffering, and her heart wept at her inability to help them.

While she was in the 9th Std., she started overhearing conversations at home about plans for her marriage. Razia wanted to continue her studies, though she did not yet know what or who she wanted to become.

Her uncle's son Nijam Ali found his way into her life as her husband after she had passed her 10th Std. After the wedding, Razia shifted to his house at Koothanur. The years brought their share of marital bliss, quarrels, entertainments and other experiences and passed very quickly. Nijam Ali was in the family business along with his brothers.

Without warning, dark clouds spread in her life. Her husband fell seriously ill and was treated for a long time at a hospital in Coimbatore.When blood cancer took her husband's life, Razia was only 21 years old. She returned to her father's house.

Her longing to continue her studies returned strongly. She decided her future career lay in nursing and accordingly she joined a nursing course. Both in the nursing school and in hospitals and elsewhere, Razia recalls witnessing the sufferings of many people. After completing her course, she joined the Devi Nursing Home, a hospital run by a family friend, Dr. Narayanan. Her father passed away, and she had to go live with her brother. Although her relatives wanted her to consider another marriage and settle down, Razia had other ideas.

Dr. Girija of Devi Nursing Home, was the one person who knew Razia closely, and understood her lonely life and her dreams for what she wanted to do with her future. She wanted to establish a home for elderly, destitute women. It was with the backing of Dr. Girija and others that 'Santhinikethanam' came into being. On 8th May 2006, the Home was inaugurated by Dr. Girija at a rented house in Ram Nagar, Vadakkanthara. Three elderly women, abandoned by their families, were the Home's first residents.

The present inmates, 9 in all, are those who, inspite of having  relatives, are without anybody to love and care for them in their twilight years. Providing food, clothes, medicines and care to them, Razia herself stays in the rented home with them.

Santhinikethanam is now surviving largely on the modest income that Razia earns (at her work in Devi Nursing Home). Kind-hearted people are offering help though. Several people have made enquiries, and a few have offered help to finance and construct the home's own premises.

Above all, Razia prays to the Almighty - to extend from His limitless treasury, a healthy life for her, so that she can continue to serve these destitute old mothers. Because, if Razia falls ill, who will take care of these mothers?

- Translated from the original in Malayalam by Sri. Sivakumar in August 2010