In a bone-chilling incident, a 75-year-old lady who lived in B-Block committed suicide. She was discovered by her son on the night of July 3-4. Apparently, the deceased lady, Usha Dhani,wife of the late Nandkishore Dhani, was living on rent at B-317 while her son and his family were residing elsewhere. According to the police, she had been ill for a long time and took her life due to mental stress.
According to rumours, Mrs. Dhani’s husband had passed away sometime back, and she had continued living alone in the flat. She had not answered her son’s phone calls for a few days due to some disagreements. Concerned, the son came to meet her. He broke down the door when his calls and rings went unanswered and found his mother dead. As per a senior RWCS member, Mr Amit (Police Chowki In-Charge), she had been dead for over a day, but since the air-conditioner was on, the body did not decompose much. The son himself called up the police, and the police informed the RWCS at 2:30 AM.
This is quite disturbing and brings into focus the state of the elderly residents who are living alone in the sector.
Delhi Police has a programme wherein elderly residents who live alone can register, and they receive a phone call or visit on a weekly basis from the nearest police station as a way of ensuring their well-being.
Many years ago, Renu Sharma (wife of RWCS President Govind Sharma) floated the idea that residents ‘adopt’ elderly people who are living alone, checking on them on a weekly basis and helping them out as friends. Maybe it is time to put this idea into action, whether by the residents, the RWCS, the police, or all of the above. Every life is precious. Every person is important.
