Thiruvananthapuram: Janaki’s son Shaji left home ten years ago in search of a job, but never returned. Now, the 72-year-old woman has arrived in the state capital from Koyilandi after she heard that her son was seen here with a child.
Paladimeeth Janaki, belonging to Mujukunnu, Koyilandi has only one wish now - to meet her long-lost son. Abandoned by her other children, the elderly woman has been making both ends meet by working as a domestic help and living in an old age home.
Penniless, Janaki is spending four days at the railway station in Thiruvananthapuram waiting for her son. She says Shaji left home over some minor differences with his wife’s relatives. At that time, he was 36 years old. But no missing complaint had been registered with the police. Janaki says that she thought Shaji would be leading a happy life somewhere and did not want to disturb him.
However, Janaki soon faced more unexpected setbacks. Her two elder children shunned her. Other relatives also turned their backs on Janaki and left with no other option, the elderly woman was forced to seek the shelter of an old age home. Living there for the last ten years, she has been working as a maid to earn some money.
After Shaji left home, his wife had turned out Janaki of the house where the elderly woman was staying. “My daughter-in-law says that I will be let in only after Shaji returns,” says Janaki.
Shaji used to work in a bakery. The owner of the bakery told Janaki recently that another Koyilandi native had informed him that he had seen Shaji in Thiruvananthapuram. Immediately, Janaki decided to travel to the state capital. But as she had no money, she worked for a few more days as a domestic help. With the amount earned, she managed to buy the train ticket and reached Thiruvananthapuram. Now she is waiting for Shaji at the railway station. After four days, she is planning to return to Koyilandi. Her phone number: 8086154206.
