They say old age, brings along with it many trials. But the worst of the trials is to be abandoned by your own children who shy away from taking responsibilities.
Sadly this is the sorry circumstance that veteran Indian actress Geeta Kapoor is finding herself in right now.
Kapoor who has been a part of Hindi cinema and is most notable for her roles in cult films such Pakeezah and Razia Sultan is currently in hospital and her son after admitting her in the hospital has refused to return to check on her.
Last month on April 21, Geeta’s son, Raja who is a choreographer admitted her to SRV Hospital in Goregaon, Mumbai, when the 58-year-old actress was suffering from low blood pressure. After the ambulance dropped the actress, the son asked for an ATM and left pretending to go to an ATM. The son did not return to ask for her mother or to get her discharged.
The emotionally distraught mother who worked as a junior artist during her younger days was seen crying in a video by TV9 channel where she told her sorry story to the world.
She said that she did not know that her son would dump her never to return again. No other family member also has come ahead to take responsibility of the aging actress.
Film fraternity comes forward
After knowing the story, filmmaker Ramesh Taurani and Ashoke Pandit came forward to pay the hospital bill that was around 1.5 lacs. According to the doctors who treated her, Kapoor was also malnourished.
Geeta Kapoor in an interview to Mid-Day newspaper revealed absolutely gruesome details of her treatment by her son. She said that the son used to beat her up and would also give her food once in four days. He would also lock her up at home. The yesteryears’ actress also said that because she did not want to go to an old age home, the son decided to dump her like this.
All attempts to reach her son Raja Kapoor have failed. He has also left the flat he was renting the day after he admitted his mom in the hospital. The actress claims that the son planned this move by first starving her so that she fell ill and then abandoning her in the hospital.
While a complaint against the son has been lodged, there are plans to send Geeta Kapoor to an old age home.
Securing your future in old age
While no parent in their wildest dreams thinks that their children will refuse to take care of them during the dawn of their lives, it is still advisable to secure your senior years. Here is some advice on how to be self-sufficient even after you retire
- Financial security: As parents, it is natural to think that everything that they own should rightfully belong to their children but still according to family counselors it is best to reserve some amount under your name to serve as a security blanket in an unforeseen circumstance.
- Be active: Just because you are towards the dawn of your life should not mean that you give up on your social life and while away time sitting at home. Participate in elderly activities in your neighbourhood. The more you render yourself useless the more others may think of you as a burden.
- Know your rights: Being active in the social circuits also serves as a window to know your rights and legalities and knowledge on how to claim them. Meet senior citizens your age and even try to volunteer for any organization if your health permits. Statistically, the parents who are abandoned by their children are the ones who shut them off from the society. By cutting off your ties, you become a likely target to be wronged, as you would have no immediate person to seek help from.
- Communicate: Situations this severe do not happen suddenly. There are a lot of misunderstandings and pent up feelings that lead to these circumstances. Do not tolerate any improper treatment instead if you feel that you are being viewed as a burden its best to talk about it. Be brave and even consider options such as a senior care home. It is better to live away than to stay together and create negativity.
Also read: Parents' house does not belong to the son, says Delhi High Court
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[All image grabs courtesy: YouTube]
