Separated by floods, united by destiny

Lakshmi’s is a heart-rending story, who lost her husband 10 years ago when she was just 28. According to her sister, Lakshmi’s inlaws, who live in Sirkazhi, refused to take her back stating that she was mentally unstable. 

After spending a few years in Sirkazhi in vain to meet her two children, Lakshmi returned to Madhavi, one of her seven sisters, living in Saligramam. “She lived with us for four years. She would laugh or cry for no reason and often go to the nearby park or visit one of the other sisters,” says Madhavi, who works as a domestic help. In December last year, Lakshmi didn’t return after one of her visits. “The flood had already escalated and we had to vacate. We told our neighbours to inform us when Lakshmi returned, but there was no news,” she says. 

Meanwhile, Udavum Karangal received a call from a good Samaritan who claimed that he found a woman with torn clothes talking to herself and crying in the park. The volunteers rescued her and brought her to the facility in Tiruverkadu. “She didn’t remember a thing – her name, address, family nothing. She was a victim of mental and physical abuse and was always in an irritable mood,” M Priya, a psychologist with the NGO. “We took her to the psychiatrist and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia.” she adds. Last week, the NGO received a call from her family. Madhavi’s husband Palini accidentally met the family priest who informed them about the volunteers from the NGO. They immediately rushed to the premises. “She remembered me and hugged me instantly,” says Madhavi.

Now, Lakshmi stays with Madhavi, Palani and their son at a one-room accommodation in Vadapalani but is yet to meet her children. She still struggles to recollect her past but says, “I am happy now. I am home.”