Sakhi Centre’s efforts bear fruit: Family of deceased man persuaded to accept his wife and newborn

Udupi: The Department of Women and Child Development of Udupi and personnel of Sakhi Center have succeeded in persuading the family of the deceased man to accept and care for his wife and newborn.

Background:

Ayyappa (28) from Badami worked as a mechanic in Udupi for several years. He had married Geeta, from Gangavathi, two years ago against the wishes of their family. However, Ayyappa died of a heart attack at the district hospital on August 25, just 20 days after the birth of his child.

When Ayyappa’s family was informed of his death, they had agreed to receive his mortal remains but refused to accept his wife Geeta and 20-day-old child. The destitute woman and her newborn were given temporary shelter at the Sakhi One Stop Center in Udupi, on the intervention by social worker Vishu Shetty Ambalapadi.

Efforts bear fruit:

Ayyappa’s mortal remains were sent to his hometown Badami as per his family’s request. However, Geeta was left behind at the Sakhi Center. She was in a state of shock  — both from her husband’s sudden death and the subsequent rejection by his family.

The personnel at Sakhi Center took good care of the woman and her newborn. They counseled and encouraged her to stay positive. Meanwhile, steps were also taken to persuade Ayyappa’s family into accepting the mother and child. These continued efforts bore fruit as the family agreed to accept them.

Ayyappa’s family, accompanied by village leaders arrived at the Sakhi Center in Udupi on Friday to receive Geeta and the baby. In the reunion, conducted in the presence of personnel of Udupi Women’s police station, the family not only promised to take good care of them both but also allow Geeta to remarry, if she so wishes.