Rangat’s mentally challenged woman dies due to lack of medical care

Senthil Kumar
Port Blair, Jan 19: A mentally challenged lady, who used live on the footpaths of Rangat, died last night.
According to villagers of Rangat the lady was disowned by her family members for unknown reasons and since then she used to roam in Rangat Bazaar and sleep on the footpath, opposite to AC office of Rangat.
In many occasions in past Andaman Sheekha had highlighted the issue and demanded some kind of medical help for the lady but nothing was done for her.
Just because no one cared about the lady, Ms. Ranjitham, led a very lonely life and died silently on the road.
Some residents of Rangat including a few local youths, used to serve her food, whenever possible but all she required is a shelter and proper medical care.
Sadden by this demise, a group of nearly 60 to 70 youths of Rangat today performed the last rites of the lady and buried her body in Rangat’s TV Centre (Hindu) Graveyard.
There are dozens of such mentally challenged people roaming in these Islands, who have been, disowned by the family members.
The Administration must arrange some kind of accommodation for these few people, so that they can lead their lives respectfully.
Ms. Ranjitham left this world silently but she left behind a strong message for the administration. We celebrate the Mental Health Day with great enthusiasm but sadly we can’t take care of only a few dozen people who are mentally ill and need medical care.