His first wife, who had no children, passed away 30 years back. But latter he managed to have a contented life with his wife, one son and four daughters. He was engaged in agricultural activities in his six acres of land. ‘The earning was sufficient to feed two adult and five children’ reminisces Somanath.

Unfortunately, his happy family shattered by sudden death of his only son died of fever, when he was in class 8. It was the biggest set back for the happy. In addition, poverty started its invasion to the family. Marrying four daughters, in the age of dowry, was a strenuous job for Somanath. He spent al his assets for the purpose. His rice bowl, six acres of agricultural land, along with his residential land was also sold. Life became a challenge for him. He was compelled to opt for the drudgery of daily labour.

In view of dearth of labour works and excess of workforce, getting a wage work daily was not possible for the family. They have the experience of spending days together without any food. On the other hand, he came to know that in Bhubaneswar plenty of labour work is available. This prompted Somanath and his wife to go to Bhubaneswar, 20 years back.

At that time, Bhubaneswar was completely new world for the couple- hailing from a small village in Ganjam District. They with support from their relations got a space in the Saliasahi slum. Again started a new beginning in their life. Somanath was going to daily work and the family was on the threshold of normalcy. This time, their hopes again wrecked by visual problems of Somanath. Due to cataract problems he gradually lost his vision and was barred from daily work. Now survival of the family in the costly city was a big question for the couple. His daughters and son-in-laws helped them for some time. But as they were earning hand to mouth, they could not support any more.

Poverty and hunger again took over the couple. Sashi, his wife, engaged herself in the wage work, getting work regularly was not possible for her. Health of Somanath deteriorated due to nervousness and anxiety. At this juncture, NYSASDRI extended his hands of support under its Adopt A Granny Programme, supported by The HelpAge International, London from April 1997. In this programme, regular assistances like food commodities, clothes, medicines, pocket money and laundry items etc are provided, each month, fro his survival. Regular Health check-up camps are also organised. In these camps Somanath like other beneficiaries avails medical services and medicine free of cost.

The support has proved to be water in the desert. Now he is relatively happy with the support. The assistance not only feeds Somanath but also provides mean of survival for his wife. The couple lives on this small help. Now they are, at least, certain that they have some food in their thatched house- made of mud -to stay alive.

Similarly, like Somanath, there are 119 needy and poverty stricken abandoned elders, deserted by their family or destiny, are being supported by NYSASDRI- with assistance form HelpAge International. They have accepted the staffs and officials NYSASDRI as their own child.