Rano 

A few months back, a jeep stopped in from of Pingalwara. A woman accompanied by four men alighted from the vehicle. She was apparently, of unsound mind. Her hands were tied behind her back, her hair had matted and were full of lice. She was unable to focus on any object for more than a few seconds.

The group approached Pingalwara staff and explained that the woman Rano (not her real name) belonged to a very poor family. She was married a few years back and had two sons but had been deserted by her husband and in-laws. Her father was no more and her mother being very old and poor was unable to look after her. The story was further corroborated by the head of a famous "Dera" close to her home town.

The case appeared to be genuine. The condition of the woman alone demanded immediate medical attention. Rano was admitted into the Pingalwara family. Improvement in her condition was evident from the very first day.

With medical help and the soothing environment of Pingalwara, within a week her condition improved considerably. She was able to recollect everything except for what had happen in the recent past.

She stated that she was married and had two sons who were staying with her father-in-law. Her mother-in-law had expired a few years back and her husband was working in Dubai.

After a few years of married life her husband developed extra marital relations with another woman. She raised a hue and cry but to no avail. Her father-in-law openly accepted the illicit relationship of his son and whenever Rano complained she was severely beaten up.

Her husband came to India only for a few days and that too after a gap of two years. Whenever her husband was away her father-in-law would make incestuous advances. Shocked to the core by this unholy atmosphere she fled her in-laws house and came back to her mother.

She found no relief in her own home, with her mother being very rude to her. Rano was heart broken. Separated from her sons, abandoned by her husband and in-laws, neglected by her own mother she started slipping into the twilight World. She would roam about the roads for hours looking for her sons. She would refuse food stating that she would eat only after her sons came back from the school or she would say that she was waiting for her husband and would eat only with him. Over a period of time her condition deteriorated . Her mother made no attempts to get her treated.

Pingalwara staff discovered that Rano's mother had a telephone in her house. A visit to her house revealed that although she was not very well off, she had a decent house to stay in. She was about 55 years of age and in very good health. She had another daughter who was a teacher and was of marriageable age. The mother expressed her in ability to look after Rano and was apprehensive that Rano's presence in the house would mar any chances her second daughter had of getting married.

Rano would plead with every member of the staff to send her home. She looked absolutely normal and was at best of her behaviour at all times. Medical opinion also stated that she should be able to lead an almost normal life provided the medicines prescribed for her are continued.

Her mother was persuaded to take Rano back. She was also instructed to continue her medicines.With in ten days of Rano reaching her home, Pingalwara started getting frantic phone calls from her mother that Rano's condition had become very bad and was uncontrollable.

When Pingalwara staff reached her house Rano was sitting in one corner of the house; she had soiled her clothes and her hairs had matted again. She was hardly coherent and kept on talking about her sons and husband. When Pingalwara staff tried to speak to her she locked herself in a room and no amount of pleading would make her open the door. The door had to be forced open and she was brought to Pingalwara once again.

Within a month she has recovered fully and insists on going back home.

What is required to be done?

Rano's husband has a responsibility towards her. He should support her even if she wants to stay with her mother.

Rano must be cared for by her mother. Her treatment is not very difficult. Rano must be examined by a psychiatrist periodically.

Efforts in both these directions are underway.

Pingalwara is a home for the destitute. If it were to admit patients whose wards are available we would need hundreds of Pingalwaras. Efforts must be made so that a case like Rano's neve arises. If it does happen the immediate family of the distressed person must help. In most of the cases the situation can be brought under control by timely medical care.

There has been a steep decline in values and ties of the family system. Every member of the family tends to strive for material gains even at the cost of other family members. Let us not go through what the West is facing today.

The role of the "Deras" must be examined dispassionately. Hundreds of crores of Rupees are donated by Punjabis to these Deras every year. The famous "Dera" near Rano's home town is spread over 20 acres of land. It is beautifully constructed with wide open lawns and comfortable buildings. Can't these "Deras" help distressed people? What are they meant for? It is for all of us to decide.