Indumoti never gave up. She fought back every time life threw challenges at her. About 40 years ago, after her husband’s death, she started rowing boats to feed her five children, three of whom were physically challenged.
But years later after her strength waned, Indumoti now 85, is dependent on her daughter, who begs for a living. She calls such life shameful, something, she says, she has always despised. Indumoti from Sonapatil village of Natore’s Naldanga upazila says she cries every time she eats the food bought with money from begging.
Her struggles started 45 years ago when her fisherman husband Prem Kumar’s body was partially paralysed. They had five children to feed including physically challenged Radha Rani and Geeta Rani, and son Upen Kumar.
Indumoti sold her ornaments and bought her husband a boat to ferry people across Barnoi River. Prem died five years later and she took the helm.
After years of backbreaking work, she married off her daughter Radha and two sons – Bhupen and Nrepen Kumar. Both sons left a few days later, afraid that they would have to contribute to the family, she said.
Radha’s husband deserted her and their newborn son. Indumoti took them in. Her grandson Probir Kumar assisted her for some years when growing up.
Indumoti collected rice and paddy from villagers once a year, instead of charging them money. She said she got around 20-25 mounds to sustain the five-member family. Three years ago, Probir got married at 22, and left.
Indumoti continued ferrying people across the river. About six months later, her son Upen died, leaving her devastated. It was not long before her body gave in. She has been bedridden for around two years now.
At that time, her daughter Geeta started begging to support her mother and sister. “I never wished for such life,” Indumoti said, as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I turned around every time … but now, I feel like a bit beaten down by life.”
Her worries centred around her daughters. “What will become of them after my death? Why has god chosen such a shameful life for me? Will He not allow me food with dignity? Will I not see my dear ones smile?” she said.
She urged the government and the society’s well-off section to rehabilitate her daughters. “For a mother, seeing her daughters beg for a living is like being defeated,” she said.
Indumoti’s spirit remains fiery as ever. “Before I die, I want to rise from this situation like I did in the past.”
