Hyderabad: Thirty years after leaving home and forced to do labour work after having her passport seized and facing an array of health issues, 70-year-old Nakka Rajyalakshmi returned home from Dubai, after Deccan Chronicle’s series of reports on her plight led the government to help her uot.
Rajyalakshmi’s ordeal began in 1994 when she went to Dubai, and the 30-year separation was marked by numerous challenges, brought about by a lack of essential documents, an incorrect name on her passport and an improperly stamped passport.
Upon arriving in India, she said that all those years away took a toll on her health, including a broken bone and eyesight problems.
Her son, Ravi Kumar, shared with Deccan Chronicle the sadness of growing up without his mother. “I always missed her terribly. Since my father fell ill, she took responsibility and left to UAE. The sacrifice of her made us what we are today. I was in Class 8 when she left, promising to return soon. These 30 years were incredibly hard.”
“I could still recall that day when my sister said that mother was stranded and unable to come back after four years. My sister and I, and relatives, kept visiting the officials concerned, in vain. I lost hope because nobody came forward to help us. The agent who sent her there was helpless,” he said.
“My only request to the government is to take stringent actions on these agents. I thank Deccan Chronicle and Lessy Joseph (women’s rights activist), who helped my mother reach home,” he said.
Rajyalakshmi said she never imagined her life would take such a dismal turn when she left India.
“At first, everything was going well and I had a good income. After four years, I found myself in a dire situation, struggling to survive on the streets. I tried working in different jobs, but I faced physical abuse. For the past 26 years, I've been living on the streets, relying on the kindness of strangers for food, shelter and medical care,” she said.
“When I first fell ill, I had no one to turn to turn to for help and I feared for my life. My body bears the scars of these 30 years of separation. Despite these hardships, I thank Deccan Chronicle for making my dream to come home true,” she said.
Activist Lessy Joseph said: “The document verification process took long due as they were physically issued and not accessible online. Her return to India wasn't just homecoming, but also proof of the unbreakable spirit of a mother's love.”
