A Mother’s Strength at 70
Every year during Durga Puja, I bow before Ma Durga and pray for strength. At 70, my knees ache with arthritis, my heart is weak, and even standing for a few minutes feels painful. Yet, just as Ma stands tall for her children, I too stand tall for my son- Pranab. I cook, clean, give him medicines, and sit by his side through every sleepless night. My body is frail, but my will is unshakable.
Pranab was once healthy and hardworking. He ran a barber shop and carried our family’s hopes with pride. But slowly, disease crept in—first, wounds on his legs that never healed, then a cough that grew heavier until he could no longer work, no longer stand on his own feet.
The Day His Wife Left
As his health worsened, his wife left him. She abandoned him when he needed her most. That day, I saw his heart break—but I also knew I had to become his strength. If the world turned away, I, his mother, would not. For three years, we went from hospital to hospital in Kolkata. I sold my mother's jewellery - the last memory of her. We sold our land, and we borrowed money too. Finally in Bangalore, doctors told us the truth: 75% of his lungs are gone. Only a transplant can save him. The cost—₹35 lakhs.
And here is my biggest pain: at 70, I cannot earn this money. My hands no longer have the strength for work, and at this age, no one will give me a job. Even if I tried, my body would not allow it. I am a mother willing to do anything, but the world has closed its doors to me.
Fighting Against All Odds
We have nothing left to sell. My husband too is frail, battling diabetes and high blood pressure. Yet, every single day, I gather my courage. I feed my son, manage his medicines, and keep hope alive. Because as long as I live, I will fight for him.
My Seva, Her Shakti
This Durga Puja, when the city lights up with devotion, I feel Ma Durga’s presence within me. All my life, I have served my son with the same seva that devotees offer to the Goddess. And just like Ma gives strength to her children, it is her shakti that keeps me standing when my body fails.
But now, I need the kindness of people to become that divine strength for my son.
I am not asking for myself. I am asking for my only son—the child who once carried our family’s dreams. This Durga Puja, while families celebrate with joy, I pray only for one gift—the gift of my son’s life. Please help me save him. With your support, I can fulfil my duty as a mother and give him the life he deserves.
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