Bengaluru: Public, police join hands to rescue 88-year-old woman

Bengaluru: While the nation was celebrating its 72 Independence Day, an 88-year-old woman, who was stranded on the city streets because of rains, was struggling to reach home. However, a Good Samaritan, Franky Cecil, found the elderly woman sitting at the bus shelter on Hesaraghatta Road and informed Deccan Chronicle late on Wednesday evening. In a rare example of public-police coordination, the police from three jurisdictions of Soladevanahalli, Bagalgunte and Vidyaranyapura were informed.

Acting swiftly, the police reached the spot and rescued the frail woman. But, the challenge remained as she couldn’t remember her house address and also could not give details about herself. She was shifted to a nearby old age home and was brought to the Vidyaranyapura police station on Thursday morning.

Inspector Ramamurthy B. told Deccan Chronicle, “She doesn’t remember anything. She has been in the city for the last three months and has been wandering about. A woman offered her help and gave her shelter. But she walked away from that house abruptly on Wednesday and that was when she was found and we were informed.”

He said, “We ensured that she was comfortable and fed her. A team of specialists was called and representatives from Sukanksha Charitable Trust also visited the station. After talking to her and counselling her, we came to know that she does not have anyone to look after her. We have sent her back to the charitable trust.”

Nagamma from Sukanksha Charitable Trust said, “As soon as we received a call from Vidyaranyapura police on Thursday morning, we rushed to the spot and spoke to the elderly woman. She could not recall much. We fed her and took her to our trust on Magadi Road. After coming here, she soon mingled with others and she seems happy.”