Ignoring pelvic pain and unusual fatigue, she walks about 10 km a day for alms in the city of Kozhikode.
T. Mallika is one of the many unlucky women who are sleeping here, battling chronic diseases. For this 55-year-old native of Mumbai, Kozhikode seems to be a last resort to raise some money for surgical removal of her uterus.
“Frankly speaking, I am really scared of the surgery and am struggling to overcome my fear that I will not be able to escape it. My only ambition is to pass away peacefully at my native place, where I am,” says Mallika. Trust a charity hospital.” She says she has been pleading for help on the streets of Kozhikode for more than two years.
Mallika never tries to explain the seriousness of her illness to anyone as she feels that it will unnecessarily spoil the mood of the people around her. She never curses anyone who refuses her alms appeal. At the end of the day, she hands over the modest collection to a local shop owner for safe keeping and sleeps near a private bus stand. He is also reluctant to seek support from shelter homes as they may restrict his freedom of movement.
“Ever since the death of my husband Tangeshwaran, I have been on the streets. Although I have two married daughters, they are unable to take care of me with their poor income and pathetic living conditions. I left them in Mumbai saying that I have got a job as a maid here,” says Mallika. For him, it is a pleasure to visit his grandchildren once in three or six months, and share a part of their ‘income’ for their needs.
Though insecurity pervades the lives of street dwellers, Mallika says she has never seen anyone misbehave in the city. She proves that most people are kind and ready to give something or the other for the needy. She also appreciates the city police for their presence on the streets and their caring approach towards homeless women.
“In my case, humble alms would never help me cure my illness except to support daily expenses. As people generally consider alms-seekers to be fraudsters, I am helpless in explaining my plight to them. If someone comes with better help, I will be happy to accept it,” says Mallika.