Shila Ghosh’s plight continues: Family wants a flat but is it really concerned?

By Arnab Mitra

Shila Ghosh has been in the limelight since 2012 after her story was posted on Facebook by a college girl. Since then, different national and international media portals have covered her story which brings out sympathy for her from people around the world. But after a certain hype, people forget Shila Ghosh and to feed her belly, the old lady has to carry on her daily routine of selling savories in front of Exide.

The media and the concerned citizens never think about the reason behind her plight. After NewsGram posted her story on 16^th June, the buzz was recreated with a campaign to help this old lady. But the team decided to meet the family members to enquire into the real problem.

NewsGram talked to her grandson Subir Ghosh, her daughter-in-law Tanuja Ghosh, Subir Ghosh's wife Shrabani Ghosh and the MP of Howrah District Mr. Prasun Banerjee. They all said that they don't need any monetary help but they demand a home or a flat from the Samaritans.

Tanuja said, "We don't want any monetary help, as my mother and I both receive a pension of around Rs. 8,000. My son also earns some money by singing and other jobs. If you really love Shila amma, please buy a flat for her in Bally".

At the time of interaction with her family members, the fragile old lady looked at us in a very innocent manner and her lips once murmured with a whispering tone, saying, "Thank you NewsGram".

On asking why they won't help Shila amma in her daily job, the 30-year-old Shrabani Ghosh said, "I am an arthritis patient, so it is not possible for me to commute a distance of 40 km daily. My mother in law is a BP patient and my husband is busy in his own profession".

Her grandson Subir Ghosh said, "I help her in getting the pension and also in buying savories from Burrabazar. I repeatedly told thakuma (grandmother), not to commute at this age, but she won't hear our words".

We also talked to the MP of Howrah District, Mr. Prasun Bannerjee, he said, " She is like my grandmother, it is my duty to help her, but I cannot assure them about their demand of getting a flat as there is no current government project here."

The story surfaces the greed of the family members, but at the same time, reflects the contentment and gratitude of the brave lady.

NewsGram requests the readers to offer help to the old lady, not necessarily monetary help, but spending some time with her would also make her happy.