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Dr.Kumari, Pottethu, Tirur, Malappuram. |
Dr. Kumari
would have continued to be a psychologist who had brought up three children
earlier in life. But one night in 2011
brought the mother in her to the fore and made her the first individual to
legally accept unwanted infants discarded by unfortunate parents. Her house at Pottethu, Tirur, Malappuram has
so far received 10 infants who have been handed over to Child Welfare
Committee.
That night
she was returning home with her husband Col.Sukumaran. There was a slight traffic jam near their
home and she heard the growling of dogs in the vacant compound. Did she hear the helpless cry of an
infant? She hurried to the spot only to
find an ant-bitten infant with blood stains from many wounds, wrapped in a
cloth.
She grabbed
him and put him in a hospital. After
treatment for a week, he was handed over to the police.
The haunting
scene of dogs mauling the infant kept recurring in her mind. She took out from the loft the cradle used by
her three children. She placed it in the front yard of the house, close to the
public road so that anyone desiring to discard an infant may do so in a safe
place. At the same time, she took legal
steps to bolster her bold step.
There was
opposition from many corners. Some accused
her of being a front for selling children.
Some advanced the philosophical argument that such facilities would encourage
the prospective discarders. But the
support of her children and husband gave her the courage to face all
challenges.
The arrival
of each infant is an occasion for joy and sorrow, says Dr.Kumari. Joy that the infant has found a safe
place. And sorrow at the plight of the
mother who had been forced to part with her loving child.
A Bharatanatyam
and Kutchipudi dancer and a veena player, she uses her time to counsel women
and girls, and to support them for their livelihood.
Courtesy: Shilpa B.Raj (text), Ajeeb Komachi (photo), Vanitha, April 15-30, 2015
